Abstract Body: Introduction:
Obesity is a well-established risk factor for conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea, all of which are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF)."
Research Question:
How have AF mortality trends among obese adults changed in the U.S. from 1999 to 2023?
Aims:-
To identify disparities and assess variations in mortality by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and geographic region.
Methods:
Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 among adults (25+) were extracted from CDC WONDER using ICD codes for AF (I48) and Obesity (E66). Joinpoint regression estimated Annual Percent Change (APC) and Average APC (AAPC) with significance at p<0.01.
Results:
Between 1999 and 2023, 57,786 AF-related deaths occurred among obese adults, primarily in hospitals (51.4%) and homes (30%). AAMR rose from 0.18 in 1999 to 2.12 in 2023 (AAPC: 10.4%, 95% CI: 9.6–11.1, p<0.000001), peaking in 2021 (2.75). Men had higher AAMRs than women (1.07 vs. 0.79) and a greater increase (AAPC: 11.0%, 95% CI: 10.4–11.7, p<0.000001). Non-Hispanic (NH) Whites had the highest AAMR (1.02) and also had the greatest rise (AAPC: 10.8%, 95% CI: 10.2–11.4, p<0.000001). Elderly (65Y+) had higher AAMRs (3.24 vs. 0.35 in 25–64Y) and showed a steeper increase (AAPC: 10.9% vs. 8.7%, p<0.01). Geographically, AAMRs ranged from 4.37 (Oklahoma) to 0.63 (Connecticut), with the South showing the highest increase (AAPC: 11.2%, 95% CI: 10.7–11.9, p<0.000001). Rural areas had higher AAMRs than urban (0.91 vs. 0.69), with both showing increasing trends.
Conclusion:
Significant mortality disparities exist in AF among obese adults, warranting targeted interventions for elderly men, NH Whites, rural residents, and those from the South.