Arrhythmias & electrophysiology

Combined effect of genetic predisposition and socioeconomic deprivation on atrial fibrillation risk

Eur J Prev CardiolPublished Prospective cohort study

Main finding · Incident AFResult — go to the resultAdjusted hazard ratio 1.16 95% CI 1.09–1.24

Authors' conclusion

Socioeconomically deprived individuals have a significantly higher risk of AF, with this risk further influenced by genetic predisposition.

Study context

Population
UK Biobank participants without prior atrial fibrillation (AF); replication in a South Korean cohortKorean cohort n=7,898
Participants
425,423 participants
Exposure
Socioeconomically deprived vs non-deprived
  • Deprivedn = 21,264
Outcome
Incident AF
Methodological detailsreplication in independent cohort
  • Replication in independent cohort

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Adjusted hazard ratio

1.16

95% CI 1.09–1.24

P < 0.001

By group

Deprivedvs Non-deprived
adjusted HR 1.16 (95% CI 1.09–1.24); P < 0.001

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Incident AF, deprivation effect by genetic risk (polygenic risk score (PRS) tertile)

Deprivation effect, lowest PRS tertile (low genetic risk): aHR [95% CI]
1.36 [1.19-1.56]
Deprivation effect, highest PRS tertile (high genetic risk): aHR [95% CI]
1.11 [1.01-1.22]
  • Interaction P=0.0013

Incident AF by Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) component

Most IMD components (except housing and living environment) linked to increased AF risk: aHR range
1.13 to 1.19

Replication in Korean cohort

Results consistent in the Korean cohort (n)
7,898

Original publication

Combined effect of genetic predisposition and socioeconomic deprivation on atrial fibrillation risk. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 28 February 2026. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwag119

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