Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Comprehensive risk factor analysis of sick sinus syndrome: a genetic, sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory investigation using the UK Biobank data
Authors' conclusion
In addition to sociodemographic and clinical risk factors, AF PRS and cystatin C were linked to the SSS incidence. Although their inclusion modestly improved prediction, these findings highlighted the potential of integrating genetic and biomarker information for comprehensive SSS risk assessments.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals aged 38–73 years enrolled in the UK Biobank 2006 to 2010, excluding those with incomplete data, prior atrial fibrillation (AF) or valvular diseaseanalysed, of 502,421 enrolled, median age 58.0 (IQR, 50.0–64.0) years, 213,684 (45.2%) male
- Participants
- 405,869 individuals
- Exposure
- AF polygenic risk score (PRS) risk groups and sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory variables in predicting sick sinus syndrome (SSS) incidence
- Outcome
- SSS events
- Follow-up
- Median 11.9 years
Methodological detailsCox regression, 22 centres
- Cox regression
- 22 centres
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
SSS events
769
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|
| SSS incidence by sociodemographic and clinical factorsAge | HR 1.52 per 5 years (95% CI 1.43–1.62) | |
| SSS risk by AF PRS groupHighvs low82% higher SSS risk | HR 1.82 (95% CI 1.45–2.29) | |
| SSS risk by AF PRS groupIntermediatevs low32% higher SSS risk | HR 1.32 (95% CI 1.07–1.62) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
SSS incidence by sociodemographic and clinical factors
| HR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Male sex | 1.39 (1.03–1.88) | |
| Prior myocardial infarction | 1.54 (1.08–2.21) | |
| Hypertension | 1.21 (1.02–1.42) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
SSS risk by cystatin C
| HR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cystatin CAssociated with increased risk | 1.71 (1.33–2.22) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Model C-index
- C-index with sociodemographic and clinical variables
- 0.752
- C-index with genetic and biomarker data added
- 0.760
Original publication
Comprehensive risk factor analysis of sick sinus syndrome: a genetic, sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory investigation using the UK Biobank data. Heart. Published 28 January 2026. doi:10.
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