Clinical and socio-demographic profile
| All (n=246) | Women (n=150) | Men (n=96) | p Value | |
| Socio-demographic profile | ||||
| Mean age (years) | 58.8±18.2 | 60.5±18.5 | 56.2±17.4 | 0.078 |
| African descent | 211 (86%) | 135 (90%) | 76 (79%) | 0.053 |
| Median (IQR) years in Soweto | 46.0 (35.0–55.0) | 45.5 (37.3–55.0) | 46.0 (30.0–56.5) | NS |
| Risk factor profile | ||||
| History of smoking | 116 (47%) | 46 (31%) | 70 (73%) | <0.0001 |
| Hypertension | 148 (60%) | 96 (65%) | 52 (54%) | NS |
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | 27.7±6.5 | 29.4±6.7 | 24.6±5.0 | <0.0001 |
| Serum cholesterol (mmol/l) | 4.0±1.2 | 4.0±1.2 | 3.9±1.3 | NS |
| Multiple cardiac risk factors | 106 (43%) | 69 (46%) | 37 (39%) | NS |
| History of alcohol intake | 119 (48%) | 48 (32%) | 71 (74%) | 0.0001 |
| Clinical presentation | ||||
| NYHA class II or III | 171 (70%) | 109 (73%) | 62 (65%) | NS |
| Dizziness | 136 (55%) | 93 (62%) | 43 (45%) | 0.008 |
| Palpitations | 145 (59%) | 96 (64%) | 49 (51%) | 0.054 |
| Heart rate/min | 82±21 | 83±20 | 81±21 | NS |
| Systolic BP (mm Hg) | 127±25 | 130±24 | 125±26 | NS |
| Diastolic BP (mm Hg) | 74±15 | 75±13 | 72±15 | NS |
| Estimated GFR | 80±31 | 76±29 | 85±34 | 0.039 |
| Probable aetiology of AF | ||||
| Lone AF | 22 (8.9%) | 16 (11%) | 6 (6.3%) | NS |
| Valvular AF | 107 (43%) | 65 (43%) | 42 (44%) | NS |
| Concurrent disease | ||||
| Hypertensive HF | 47 (19%) | 37 (25%) | 10 (10%) | 0.006 |
| Idiopathic dilated CMO | 38 (15%) | 15 (10%) | 23 (24%) | 0.003 |
| All HF | 138 (56%) | 87 (58%) | 51 (53%) | NS |
| Rheumatic heart disease | 51 (21%) | 33 (22%) | 18 (19%) | NS |
| Coronary artery disease | 16 (6.5%) | 6 (4.0%) | 10 (10%) | 0.046 |
| Echocardiography | ||||
| LVEF (%) | 51±16 | 53±16 | 48±16 | NS |
| LVSD (LVEF<45%) | 76 (35%) | 35 (27%) | 41 (47%) | 0.027 |
| LVEDD (mm) | 48±10 | 45±11 | 51±8 | 0.001 |
| LVESD (mm) | 35±11 | 34±11 | 38±10 | 0.029 |
| RVSP>35 mm Hg | 42 (19%) | 22 (17%) | 20 (23%) | NS |
Data are presented as a mean±SD or proportions. Height and weight data were used to calculate body mass index.
AF, atrial fibrillation/flutter; BP, blood pressure; CMO, cardiomyopathy; GFR, glomerular filtration rate—calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease abbreviated formula (estimated GFR (eGFR) ml/min/1.73 m2=186.3 × (serum creatinine mg/dl)−1.154 × (age)−1.154 × (0.742 female sex) × (1.21 if black African) using serum creatinine concentrations (μmol/l) converted to mg/dl. Renal dysfunction defined as eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (moderate to severe renal impairment); HF, heart failure; LVEDD, left ventricular end diameter at diastole; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction (specific values recorded in 219 cases); LVESD, left ventricular end diameter at systole; LVSD, left ventricular diameter at systole; NS, non-significant; NYHA, New York Heart Association; RVSP, right ventricular systolic pressure (specific values recorded in 56 cases).