Prevalence and characteristics of atrial fibrillation in Makassar city population: A telemedicine study

OBJECTIVE

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most commonly occurring arrhythmias and a major modifiable risk factor of stroke, especially in women. The incidence of AF in Indonesia is not well-characterized yet. This is a community-based study to determine the prevalence and characteristics of AF in the Makassar city population.

METHOD

Standard ECG recording showing atrial fibrillation obtained between January 1, 2014 and September 31, 2018 from Telemedicine Study Center in Hasanuddin University Hospital were collected in form of portable document format (pdf) and were analyzed. ECG with incomplete interpretation and/or epidemiological data were excluded. ECG interpretation and analysis were performed by the first author as an electrophysiologist (MA). Epidemiological data, heart rate, P wave amplitude, QRS axis, QRS complex duration and configuration, QRS rate (ventricular response), corrected QT interval according to Bazzett's formula, presence of QRS complex abnormalities and ST-T changes were analyzed. Data analysis were performed using SPSS 20.0 for Windows.

RESULT

A total of 19.718 ECG data were obtained, taken from the Makassar Telemedicine study data center at Hasanuddin University Hospital which cover all Public Health Center and a private clinic in Makassar city. From this population, AF was found in 189 (0.96%) ECGs. 98 (51.9%) are males' and 91 (48.1%) of which are females'. AF is increasingly prevalent with increasing ages. There was a significant difference on the QRS axis between male and female with a p value of <0.001. The duration of the QRS complex between men and women was significantly different (p=0.038). QTc value was also found to be significantly different between male and female (p=0.001). AF was accompanied by PVC in 9 males and 2 females.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of AF in the Makassar population is 0.96%, more common in men and elderly.