Key result
Leucocyte telomere shortening was an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.11-1.79; P=0.005), with a particularly strong association for recurrent AF.
Why the study?
Studies evaluating the association between leucocyte telomere length and the risk of atrial fibrillation have reported controversial results.
Does leucocyte telomere shortening predict the risk of atrial fibrillation?
Meta-Analysis (n=18,293)
Does leucocyte telomere shortening predict the risk of atrial fibrillation?
Effect estimate: OR 1.41 (95% CI 1.11-1.79)
p-value: p=0.005
Leucocyte telomere shortening is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation, particularly recurrent AF and progression from paroxysmal to persistent AF, with a more prominent predictive value in males.
May aid recurrent AF risk stratification; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
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Zheng et al. (2022) conducted a meta-analysis in Atrial fibrillation (n=18,293). Leucocyte telomere shortening was evaluated on Incidence of atrial fibrillation (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.11-1.79, p=0.005). Leucocyte telomere shortening was an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.11-1.79; P=0.005), with a particularly strong association for recurrent AF.
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