The prevalence and distributing feature of atrial fibrillation in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Kazaks adult population

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and distributing feature of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Xinjiang Kazaks adult population. METHODS: Four-stage selected random samples aged 30-89 years from Tacheng, Yili and Aletai were analyzed. An epidemical study of AF was performed including inquiring medical history, recording electrocardiogram and auscultation. RESULTS: A total of 22 514 adults were surveyed. The prevalence of AF in Xinjiang Kazaks adult population was 0.37%, which was increasing with aging. The prevalence was higher in men than in women (0.5% vs 0.2%, P < 0.01). In AF patients, 23 was valvular AF. Ischemic stroke was the most frequent type and the stroke rate in the patients with AF was significantly higher than that without AF (6.0% vs 1.2%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AF in Xinjiang Kazaks adult population is lower than the reported national prevalence but patients with AF in this population would not like to take the necessary medicine. Therefore, the control of AF need to be reinforced.