The combination of tall stature and high aerobic fitness level in 18-year-old men was associated with the highest risk of atrial fibrillation in adulthood (adjusted HR 1.70; 95% CI 1.61-1.80).
Cohort (n=1,547,478)
Yes
Do height, weight, and aerobic fitness level at age 18 affect the risk of atrial fibrillation in adulthood?
Increased height, weight, and aerobic fitness at age 18 are associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation in adulthood, with a significant interaction between tall stature and high aerobic fitness.
Effect estimate: HR 1.70 (95% CI 1.61-1.80)
Tall stature and obesity have been associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), but there have been conflicting reports of the effects of aerobic fitness. We conducted a national cohort study to examine interactions between height or weight and level of aerobic fitness among 1,547,478 Swedish military conscripts during 1969-1997 (97%-98% of all 18-year-old men) in relation to AF identified from nationwide inpatient and outpatient diagnoses through 2012 (maximal age, 62 years). Increased height, weight, and aerobic fitness level (but not muscular strength) at age 18 years were all associated with a higher AF risk in adulthood. Positive additive and multiplicative interactions were found between height or weight and aerobic fitness level (for the highest tertiles of height and aerobic fitness level vs. the lowest, relative excess risk = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40, 0.62; ratio of hazard ratios = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.34, 1.65). High aerobic fitness levels were associated with higher risk among men who were at least 186 cm (6 feet, 1 inch) tall but were protective among shorter men. Men with the combination of tall stature and high aerobic fitness level had the highest risk (for the highest tertiles vs. the lowest, adjusted hazard ratio = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.61, 1.80). These findings suggest important interactions between body size and aerobic fitness level in relation to AF and may help identify high-risk subgroups.
Crump et al. (Thu,) conducted a cohort in Atrial fibrillation (n=1,547,478). High aerobic fitness level and tall stature vs. Lowest tertiles of height and aerobic fitness level was evaluated on Atrial fibrillation (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.61-1.80). The combination of tall stature and high aerobic fitness level in 18-year-old men was associated with the highest risk of atrial fibrillation in adulthood (adjusted HR 1.70; 95% CI 1.61-1.80).