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Familial aggregation of lone atrial fibrillation in the Chinese population
Yi-Qing Yang1, Xian-Ling Zhang, Xin-Hua Wang
1Department of Cardiovascular Research, Shanghai Chest Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China. yang99yang66@hotmail.com
Insights
Familial aggregation of lone atrial fibrillation (AF) is significant in the Chinese population. This suggests a genetic component may contribute to the development of this common heart arrhythmia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia linked to significant morbidity and mortality.
- Previous studies indicate familial aggregation of AF globally.
- The genetic basis of lone AF in the Chinese population remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the familial aggregation of lone atrial fibrillation (AF) within the Chinese population.
- To determine if there is a higher prevalence of AF among relatives of patients with lone AF compared to the general population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 382 unrelated patients with lone AF and their 6,856 relatives.
- Comparison with 15,507 age- and sex-matched controls from the general population.
- Analysis of AF prevalence across different familial relationships (parents, siblings, children).
Main Results:
- Relatives of lone AF patients exhibited a significantly increased risk of developing AF compared to controls.
- Specific relative risks were elevated for daughters (166.6), sisters (24.49), sons (37.36), and brothers (27.39).
- Increased risk was also observed for mothers (4.87) and fathers (4.78).
Conclusions:
- The study provides strong evidence for significant familial aggregation of lone AF in Chinese families.
- Findings suggest a potential Mendelian genetic component underlying the pathogenesis of lone AF.
- This highlights the importance of family history in assessing AF risk.
Objective:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia associated with substantial morbidity and significant mortality. The familial aggregation of AF elsewhere in the world has been documented. This investigation sought to evaluate familial aggregation of lone AF in the Chinese population.
Methods:
The study population included 382 unrelated patients with lone AF, and their 6,856 relatives. The controls were 15,507 age-sex-matched individuals from the general population. The prevalence of AF in each class of relatives was compared to that in each subgroup of the age- and sex- comparable control individuals.
Results:
The relatives of patients with lone AF had a significantly increased risk of the arrhythmia as compared to the general population. The relative risk (95% confidence intervals) of AF for relatives compared to the general population was: 37.36 (12.71-109.9) for sons, 166.6 (22.06-1258) for daughters, 27.39 (14.63-51.26) for brothers, 24.49 (14.01-42.83) for sisters, 4.87 (2.84-8.35) for mothers, and 4.78 (3.00-7.59) for fathers.
Conclusion:
These findings provide evidence suggesting that there is a significant familial aggregation of lone AF among Chinese families and a Mendelian genetic component involved in the pathogenesis of this prevalent disorder.
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