Obesity and Cardiac Conduction Block Disease in China

Abstract

ImportanceAlthough a high body mass index (BMI) has been found to be associated with increased risk of cardiac conduction block (CCB) in older adults, no further studies have investigated the association between obesity and CCB in the general population.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between obesity and CCB, including its subtypes.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study used data from participants in the Kailuan Study in China (2006-2018) who had completed a physical examination in 2006 (baseline) and had not experienced CCB before baseline. Data analysis was conducted from March to September 2023.ExposuresObesity status was defined by BMI in 3 groups: normal weight (18.5 to <24), overweight (24 to <28), and obesity (≥28).Main Outcome and MeasuresThe primary outcome was CCB, which was diagnosed from standard 12-lead electrocardiography. The primary end point included high-grade atrioventricular block (HAVB), complete right bundle branch block, complete left bundle branch block, left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), and left posterior fascicular block. First-degree atrioventricular block (FAVB), second-degree type 1 AVB, HAVB, complete and incomplete right and left bundle branch block, LAFB, and left posterior fascicular block were considered separately as secondary end points.ResultsAmong 86 635 participants (mean [SD] age, 50.8 [11.9] years; 68 205 males [78.7%]), there were 33 259 individuals with normal weight (38.4%), 37 069 individuals with overweight (42.8%), and 16 307 individuals with obesity (18.8%). The mean (SD) follow-up was 10.6 (3.07) years. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, obesity was associated with an increased risk of incident CCB (hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04-1.42) vs normal BMI. In secondary analysis, obesity was associated with an increased risk of FAVB (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.21-1.73), HAVB (HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.03-3.82), and LAFB (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.62) vs normal BMI. There was no association between obesity and other CCB subtypes. Obesity was associated with a greater increase in risk of CCB vs normal BMI in older (aged ≥65 years; HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.05-1.96) vs younger (aged <65 years; HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.96-1.34) participants (P for interaction < .001) and those with diabetes (HR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.24-3.76) vs without diabetes (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02-1.39) (P for interaction = .02).Conclusions and RelevanceThis study found that obesity was associated with an increased risk of CCB, with greater increases in risk for FAVB, HAVB, and LAFB. Individuals who were older and those who had diabetes had larger increases in risk.

Triglyceride levels and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in Chinese adults younger than 40 years old: a prospective cohort study

“…Smokers who smoked more than 1 cigarette per day on average over the past year were defined as current smokers. Drinkers who consumed more than 100 mL of alcohol per day on average with an alcohol concentration of ≥50% v/v in the past year were defined as current drinkers ( 20 ). Physical activity that exceeded 20 minutes per session and more than 3 times per week was classified as active ( 21 ).…”

“…Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥28 kg/m 2 according to the criteria of the Chinese Working Group on Obesity ( 20 ). A mercury sphygmomanometer was used to measure blood pressure in the seated position after at least five minutes of rest, and an average value of at least three measurements of both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was obtained.…”