Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the general population of Japan: An analysis based on periodic health examination
Open accessAbstract
Background The mortality and morbidity rates of various cardiovascular diseases differ between Western countries and Japan. The age- and gender-specific prevalence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the general population of Japan was determined using the data from periodic health examinations in 2003.Methods Data of 630,138 subjects aged 40 years or more (47% were men and 34% were employees of companies and local governments) were collected from northern to southern Japan. The prevalence of diagnosed AF in each 10-year age group of both men and women was determined. Based on these prevalence rates and the Registry of Residents, the number of people having AF in Japan was estimated.Results The prevalence rate of AF increased as both male and female subjects aged, and it was 4.4% for men but only 2.2% for women aged 80 years or more (p<0.0001). As a whole, the AF prevalence of men was three times that of women (1.35 versus 0.43%, p<0.0001). There may be approximately 716,000 people (95% confidence interval (CI), 711,000-720,000) with AF in Japan, an overall prevalence of 0.56%. The number of people having AF was projected to be 1.034 (95% CI, 1.029-1.039) million, an overall prevalence of 1.09%, in 2050.Conclusions The prevalence of AF increased in Japan as the population aged, as in Western countries. The overall prevalence of AF in Japan is approximately two-thirds of that in the USA. The projected increase in the number of people having AF is modest in Japan in 2050.
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In Japan, where average omega-3 intake approximates 1000 mg/d, age-adjusted AF incidence is substantially lower than in the US.
“In Japan, where average omega-3 intake approximates this level118, age-adjusted AF incidence is substantially lower than in the US119, 120.”
From Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Treatment on Risk for Atrial Fibrillation: An Updated Meta-Analysis of 35 Trials including 114 592 Individuals (2026) · cites this paper as [120]
The Major findings and Conclusions sections report that AF prevalence in Japan was about two-thirds that in the USA. The paper measures prevalence, not incidence, and does not report an age-adjusted incidence comparison. The omega-3 intake statement has a separate citation (118) and is not attributed to this source. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe overall prevalence of AF varies by ancestry.
“The overall prevalence of AF varies by ancestry; prevalence studies of Asian populations have been less consistent than those of North American and European poulations.”
From Atrial fibrillation in women: epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, and prognosis (2016) · cites this paper as [25]
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“118,119 These ecological considerations are at least consistent with the view that in the general population, even relatively high doses (1–1.5 g/d) do not increase risk, and indeed may decrease risk, for AF.”
Influential
- Authors
- Inoue, H., Fujiki, A., Origasa, H., Ogawa, S., Okumura, K., Kubota, I., Aizawa, Y., Yamashita, T., Atarashi, H., Horie, M., Ohe, T., Doi, Y., Shimizu, A., Chishaki, A., Saikawa, T., Yano, K., Kitabatake, A., Mitamura, H., Kodama, I., & Kamakura, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Toyama (JP)
- Keio University (JP)
- Hirosaki University (JP)
- Yamagata University (JP)
- Niigata University (JP)
- Cardiovascular Institute Hospital (JP)
- Nippon Medical School (JP)
- Shiga University of Medical Science (JP)
- Okayama University (JP)
- University of Kochi (JP)
- Yamaguchi University (JP)
- Kyushu University (JP)
- Oita University (JP)
- Nagasaki University (JP)
- Hokkaido University (JP)
- Saiseikai Central Hospital (JP)
- Nagoya University (JP)
- National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (JP)
- Corresponding author
- Inoue, Hiroshi
- ORCID
- Venue
- International Journal of Cardiology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-10
- Volume
- 137
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 102-107
- ISSN
- 0167-5273 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1984553148
- Cited by
- 432
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 5.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- International Journal of Cardiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Acute Ischemic Stroke Management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Healthcare Systems and Public Health
- Keywords
- atrial fibrillation, prevalence, Japan, periodic health examination, sex differences, age-related increase, population aging, prevalence estimation, cardiovascular disease burden
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Atrial Fibrillation, Female, Humans, Japan, Male, Middle Aged, Physical Examination, Sex Factors, Prevalence, Population Groups
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