Sex-specific associations between midlife body mass index and later-life left atrial enlargement in the Hordaland health study
Authors' conclusion
Increased BMI in early midlife was more strongly associated with LAE later in life in women. These results point to a sex-biased vulnerability to overweight-induced LAE and highlight the importance of weight control in midlife, especially in women.
Study context
- Population
- Women and men aged 42 years at baseline in the Hordaland Health Study1,051 women and 889 men
- Participants
- 1,051 vs 889
- Comparison
- Associations between baseline body mass index (BMI) and left atrial enlargement (LAE) at follow-up, by sex
- Womenn = 1,051
- Menn = 889
- Outcome
- LAE prevalence
- Follow-up
- follow-up
Methodological detailsfollowed for 26 years, sex-specific Poisson regression analyses
- Followed for 26 years
- Sex-specific Poisson regression analyses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Further findings
| Outcome | Women | Men | Risk difference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAE risk with overweight | 0.16 (95% CI 0.08–0.25) | |||
| RR | 1.45 (95% CI 1.27 to 1.65) | 1.26 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.46) | ||
| LAE risk with obesity | 0.12 (CI −0.11 to 0.34) | |||
| RR | 1.48 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.92) | 1.41 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.90) | ||
| −0.200.20.4Difference (linear scale) |
Relative excess risk due to interaction (female sex and overweight)
- RERI
- 0.25 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.49)
- Positive additive interaction between female sex and overweight
Baseline overweight and obesity
- Overweight was less common in women than men while obesity prevalence did not differ
Original publication
Sex-specific associations between midlife body mass index and later-life left atrial enlargement in the Hordaland health study. Heart. Published 11 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →