Rapid Communications
Trend in the Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation During the Past 15 Years in Iwate (Northeastern Area of Japan)
2017 Volume 81 Issue 10 Pages 1537-1539
Details
2017 Volume 81 Issue 10 Pages 1537-1539
Background:The trend in age-specific prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Japan has not been reported.
Methods and Results:Age-specific prevalence (40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79 and 80–89 years old) of AF in Iwate Prefecture was determined in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012 (n=818,577). A positive linear trend in the prevalence of AF across calender years was observed only in males in their 60 s and 70 s. The direct age-standardized rate in males increased from 1.55% to 1.85%, while the rate in females remained around 0.5%.
Conclusions:The age-specific prevalence of AF has increased only in elderly males.
