AIMS: To find the prevalence of auricular fibrillation in over-65s. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study through face-to-face interview and electrocardiogram. SETTING: La Solana Health District, Talavera de la Reina (Toledo). PARTICIPANTS: The entire population aged 65 or over (1206 people). Main measurements. Structured interview, study of patients clinical history, taking of blood pressure, and electrocardiogram with standardised measurement. RESULTS: 5.6% prevalence of auricular fibrillation. Distribution according to gender: 4.5% in men and 6.4% in women (p = 0.060; adjusted OR, 1.5). Prevalence of auricular fibrillation by age groups: from 65 to 74, 3.9%; from 75 to 84, 7.8%; over 85, 18.2% (p = 0.0001; adjusted OR, 2.14). CONCLUSIONS: There is greater prevalence of auricular fibrillation in the over 65s than in the general population. Prevalence increases with age. Gender has no statistical significance in the 65 to 74 age group, though it has in the over-85 group, in whom auricular fibrillation is more prevalent in women.
AIMS: To find the prevalence of auricular fibrillation in over-65s. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study through face-to-face interview and electrocardiogram. SETTING: La Solana Health District, Talavera de la Reina (Toledo). PARTICIPANTS: The entire population aged 65 or over (1206 people). Main measurements. Structured interview, study of patients clinical history, taking of blood pressure, and electrocardiogram with standardised measurement. RESULTS: 5.6% prevalence of auricular fibrillation. Distribution according to gender: 4.5% in men and 6.4% in women (p = 0.060; adjusted OR, 1.5). Prevalence of auricular fibrillation by age groups: from 65 to 74, 3.9%; from 75 to 84, 7.8%; over 85, 18.2% (p = 0.0001; adjusted OR, 2.14). CONCLUSIONS: There is greater prevalence of auricular fibrillation in the over 65s than in the general population. Prevalence increases with age. Gender has no statistical significance in the 65 to 74 age group, though it has in the over-85 group, in whom auricular fibrillation is more prevalent in women.