Reported Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation Varies by Ethnicity and Presentation in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis | Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology
BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia. Its detection rates vary significantly across ethnic groups, impacting epidemiological and clinical outcomes. We aim to explore ethnic differences in self-reported versus hospital-reported AF using the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis). METHODS: Six thousand seven hundred seventy-five adults aged 45 to 84 years, free from baseline AF and major cardiovascular events, were monitored over 8.4 years (2000–2012) across 6 US locations. AF incidence was measured via hospital discharge International Classification of Diseases codes and self-reported data, validated by follow-up questionnaires. AF incidence per 1000 person-years was assessed by ethnic group and reporting method. Incidence rate ratios and adjusted hazard ratios were calculated with White participants as the referent group. RESULTS: The study comprised 2611 White, 800 Chinese, 1485 Hispanic, and 1879 Black participants, with a mean age of 62.15 (10.24
