Obesity and the Risk of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillationhttps://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/199858

Abstract

Context Obesity is associated with atrial enlargement and ventricular diastolic dysfunction, both known predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is unclear whether obesity is a risk factor for AF. Objective To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of developing AF. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective, community-based observational cohort in Framingham, Mass. We studied 5282 participants (mean age, 57 [SD, 13] years; 2898 women [55%]) without baseline AF (electrocardiographic AF or arterial flutter). Body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by square of height in meters) was evaluated as both a continuous and a categorical variable (normal defined as <25.0; overweight, 25.0 to <30.0; and obese, ≥30.0). In addition to adjusting for clinical confounders by multivariable techniques, we also examined models including echocardiographic left atrial diameter to examine whether the influence of obesity was mediated by changes in left atrial dimensions.