Association between insulin resistance and risk of atrial fibrillation in non-diabetics

Aims Previous studies from Western countries have been unable to demonstrate a relationship between insulin resistance and new-onset atrial fibrillation. We aimed to evaluate this relationship in the nondiabetic Asian population. Methods Between 2001–2003, 8175 adults (mean age 51.5 years, 53% women) without both existing atrial fibrillation and diabetes and with insulin resistance measures at baseline were enrolled and were followed by biennial electrocardiograms thereafter until 2014. We constructed multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models for risk of incident atrial fibrillation. Results Over a median follow-up of 12.3 years, 136 participants (1.89/1000 person-years) developed atrial fibrillation. Higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was independently associated with newly developed atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 1.61, 95% confidence interval 1.14–2.28). Atrial fibrillation development increased at the HOMA-IR levels approximately between 1–2.5, and then plateaued afterwards (p = 0.031). Conclusion There is a significant relationship between insulin resistance and atrial fibrillation development independent of other known risk factors, including obesity in a nondiabetic Asian population.