Prevalence of left atrial enlargement and its risk factors in general Chinese population

Background: Left atrial enlargement (LAE) has been proven to be significantly related to stroke and cardiovascular diseases. In China, few studies related to LAE have been conducted, especially in the general population. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to explore the prevalence of LAE and associated risk factors in the general Chinese population. Methods: This study included a total of 11,956 subjects aged >= 35 years. All participants completed a questionnaire, and underwent complete physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram. We defined LAE as a LA diameter exceeding 4.0 cm in men and 3.8 cm in women. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis and a linear regression analysis to identify independent factors of LAE. Results: The overall prevalence of LAE was 6.43 % for subjects aged over 35 years. The prevalence of LAE was 6.78 % in women and 6.02 % in men. The major risk factors of LAE were female sex (odds ration [OR]: 1.229, beta: 0.197), advancing age (OR: 1.015, beta: 0.036), high systolic blood pressure (OR: 2.331, beta: 0.185), high body mass index (BMI) (OR: 3.956, beta: 0.373), diabetes (OR: 1.498, beta: 0.030), high left ventricular myocardial index (OR: 1.003, beta: 0.073), and low left ventricular ejection fraction, low heart rate, and low estimated glomerular filtration rate. Additionally, the association between BMI and LAE was the most obvious. Conclusions: Female sex, advancing age, high systolic blood pressure, high BMI, diabetes, high left ventricular myocardial index, low estimated glomerular filtration rate, low left ventricular ejection fraction, and low heart rate were proven to be risk factors of LAE.