Association Between White Blood Cell Count and Atrial Fibrillation Risk ― A Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study ―
Ahmed Arafa, Yoshihiro Kokubo, Rena Kashima, Masayuki Teramoto, Yukie Sakai, Saya Nosaka, Keiko Shimamoto, Haruna Kawachi, Chisa Matsumoto, Kengo Kusano
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) are increasing. The white blood cell (WBC) count is an indicator of systemic inflammation and is related to increased cardiovascular disease risk. Using data from the Suita Study, we investigated the association between WBC count and AF risk in the general Japanese population. METHODS AND RESULTS: -cells/L increment in WBC count, AF risk increased by 9% in men (9% in non-smokers, 10% in current smokers) and 20% in women (13% in non-smokers, 32% in current smokers). CONCLUSIONS: A higher WBC count was positively associated with an elevated AF risk in the general Japanese population, especially in women who smoked.