Association of White Blood Cell Count and Differential with the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although inflammation is involved in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), the association of white blood cell (WBC) count and differential with AF has not been thoroughly examined in large cohorts with extended follow-up.

Methods

We studied 14,500 men and women (25% blacks, 55% women, mean age 54) free of AF at baseline (1987-89) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, a community-based cohort in the United States. Incident AF cases through 2010 were identified from study electrocardiograms, hospital discharge records and death certificates. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for AF associated with WBC count and differential.

Results

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SUBMITTER: Misialek JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4551739 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature