Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026
Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
Comprehensive risk factor analysis of sick sinus syndrome: a genetic, sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory
Hong-Ju Kim1,2, Pil-Sung Yang1, Hanjin Park1
1Division of Cardiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Sinoatrial node dysfunction and atrial fibrillation (AF) often coexist, and each potentially initiates or perpetuates the other. Consequently, genetic risk factors for AF may be associated with sick sinus syndrome (SSS). This study evaluated clinical, sociodemographic, laboratory and genetic factors in predicting the SSS incidence by using a polygenic risk score (PRS) for AF, given the absence of a dedicated PRS for SSS.
Methods:
A total of 502 421 individuals aged 38-73 years across 22 centres from 2006 to 2010 were enrolled in the UK Biobank. After those with incomplete data, prior AF or valvular disease were excluded, 405 869 participants (median age 58.0 (IQR, 50.0-64.0) years; 213 684 (45.2%) male) were analysed. AF PRS categorised the participants into low (first quintile), intermediate (middle three quintiles) and high (fifth quintile) risks. SSS incidence was recorded, and associations were evaluated using Cox regression with sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory and genetic variables.
Results:
During the median follow-up of 11.9 years, 769 SSS events occurred. Their incidence increased with age (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.43 to 1.62 per 5 years), male sex (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.88), prior myocardial infarction (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.21) and hypertension (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.42). The high-PRS and intermediate-PRS groups were related to 82% (HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.29) and 32% (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.62) higher SSS risks, respectively. Cystatin C (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.22) was also associated with the increased risk. The model's C-index was 0.752 with sociodemographic and clinical variables, but it increased to 0.760 with genetic and biomarker data.
Conclusion:
In addition to sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, AF PRS and cystatin C were linked to the SSS incidence. Although their inclusion modestly improved prediction, these findings highlighted the potential of integrating genetic and biomarker information for comprehensive SSS risk assessments.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:12Statistical Software for Data Analysis and Clinical Trials
01:19Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:12Analysis of Population Pharmacokinetic Data
01:12Relative Risk