Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Comprehensive risk factor analysis of sick sinus syndrome: a genetic, sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory investigation using the UK Biobank data
- UK Biobank cohort analysis
- Cox regression
- 22 centres
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
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
SSS events · median follow-up of 11.9 years
SSS events
769
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|
| SSS incidence by sociodemographic and clinical factors — age | HR 1.52 per 5 years (95% CI 1.43–1.62) | |
| SSS incidence by sociodemographic and clinical factors — male sex vs low | HR 1.39 (95% CI 1.03–1.88) | |
| SSS incidence by sociodemographic and clinical factors — prior myocardial infarction vs low | HR 1.54 (95% CI 1.08–2.21) | |
| SSS incidence by sociodemographic and clinical factors — hypertension vs low | HR 1.21 (95% CI 1.02–1.42) | |
| SSS risk by AF PRS group — high vs low · 82% higher SSS risk | HR 1.82 (95% CI 1.45–2.29) | |
| SSS risk by AF PRS group — intermediate vs low · 32% higher SSS risk | HR 1.32 (95% CI 1.07–1.62) | |
| SSS risk by cystatin C · associated with increased risk | HR 1.71 (95% CI 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:10.1136/heartjnl-2025-327272
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it