Arrhythmias & electrophysiology

Global, regional, and national burden of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter from 1990 to 2021: sex differences and global burden projections to 2046—a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

EuropacePublished Systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Authors' conclusion

The global burden of AF/AFL is rising, particularly among women, and in low-socio-demographic index regions.

Study context

Population
Individuals aged 30 and above, global, 1990–2021
Exposure
Males vs females
Outcome
Incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALYs of AF/AFL
Follow-up
1990 to 2021
Methodological detailsage-period-cohort analysis, joinpoint regression, Bayesian age-period-cohort projection to 2046
  • Age-period-cohort analysis
  • Joinpoint regression
  • Bayesian age-period-cohort projection to 2046

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Global burden of AF/AFL · 2021

People affected by AF/AFL globally in 2021

52.6 million

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Risk factors

Key risk factors: high SBP, body mass index (BMI), alcohol use; females had higher age-standardized rates associated with elevated BMI than males

Projections · 2022 to 2046

Stable age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) in males, rising rates in females; Age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) expected to decline for both sexes

Original publication

Global, regional, and national burden of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter from 1990 to 2021: sex differences and global burden projections to 2046—a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Europace. Published 14 February 2025. doi:10.1093/europace/euaf027

Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →

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