title: Anthropometric parameters and the incidence of atrial fibrillation in older people: the PRO.V.A study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with body size and central obesity, but the impact of different anthropometric measures in this relationship has been inadequately investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we examined the association between baseline anthropometric parameters with the incidence of AF in older people, hypothesizing that body size could impact the onset of AF more than fat distribution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study included 1764 participants with a mean age of 74.3 ± 6.9 years and no AF at baseline. Body mass index (BMI), body height, body surface area (BSA), waist and hip circumference, waist-to-stature ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured by trained physicians. AF was assessed after a 4.4-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 115 new cases of AF observed after the follow-up. Taking lower values of these measures for reference, the adjusted AF risk was 2.42 (95% confidence interval [CI]:1.88-3.12) for the highest stature quartile, 1.36 (95% CI:1.15-1.62) for BMI ≥30 kg/m2, 2.12 (95% CI:1.73-2.59) for the highest BSA quartile, 1.38 (95% CI: 1.21-1.56) for higher MUAC, and 1.39 (95% CI: 1.23-1.58, P < 0.0001) for higher hip circumference values. Central obesity did not seem to relevantly predict the onset of AF in our sample. Stature revealed the strongest impact on the onset of AF (5% higher risk of developing AF per 1 cm increase in height).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Body size, particularly tall stature and obesity, but not fat distribution, seems to be associated with the risk of AF in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trevisan
authors.affiliation: National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Curreri
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nante
authors.affiliation: National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noale
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Rui
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Egle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perissinotto
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (DIMED), Clinica Medica I, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.affiliation: National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Padova, Italy.|Department of Medicine (DIMED), Clinica Medica I, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zambon
authors.affiliation: National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crepaldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.|National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manzato
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (DIMED), Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sergi
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference
keywords: anthropometry; atrial fibrillation; elderly