Incidence of atrial fibrillation is associated with age and gender in subjects practicing physical exercise: A meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis
Abstract
The link between physical activity and the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial. We therefore sought to further assess by a meta-analysis whether increased levels of physical activity may increase the risk of AF. In October 2015, a PubMed research was conducted for studies that investigated this topic. We identified 11 relevant studies with a total of 81,787 participants. The pooled analysis did not show an increased risk of AF in subjects practicing physical activity (odds ratio (OR)=0.92, 95% C.I.=0.84-1.01, p=0.077, I(2)=90%). However, given the observed large heterogeneity among studies, a subgroup analysis was performed in order to identify possible variables influencing the risk of AF. Significantly higher risk of AF in subjects with reported physical activity was found in studies enrolling exclusively male participants (OR=7.49, 95% C.I.=3.12-19.01, p<0.001, I(2)=0%) and subjects younger than 54years (OR 5.30, 95% C.I.=3.43-8.20, p<0.001, I(2)=1.7%), while results were opposite in studies enrolling male and/or female participants OR=0.89 (95% C.I.=0.81-0.97, p=0.01) and subjects older than 54years (OR=0.84, 95% C.I.=0.76-0.92, p<0.001). A reverse correlation was also found at meta-regression analysis between age and OR of AF (p=0.047). In conclusion, in our meta-analysis, there is a non-significant trend toward lower risk of AF in subjects practicing physical activity. The risk seems higher in male subjects. A reverse correlation between age and risk…
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The lower association of atrial fibrillation in older athletes compared with younger athletes has been previously linked to the higher rates of atrial fibrillation in older individuals, independent from physical activity levels.
“With this, the lower association of AF in older athletes compared with younger athletes has been previously linked to the higher rates of AF in older individuals, independent from physical activity levels.27”
From Risk of atrial fibrillation in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2021) · cites this paper as [27]
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Background
- Authors
- Brunetti, N. D., Santoro, F., Correale, M., De Gennaro, L., Conte, G., & Di Biase, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Foggia (IT)
- Ospedali Riuniti di Foggia (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Brunetti, Natale Daniele
- Venue
- International Journal of Cardiology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-10
- Volume
- 221
- Pages
- 1056-1060
- ISSN
- 0167-5273 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2464353643
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 0.41
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Cardiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
- Keywords
- atrial fibrillation, physical activity, age, sex differences, atrial fibrillation risk, cardiorespiratory fitness
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Atrial Fibrillation, Female, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Exercise, Incidence, Risk Assessment
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