Authors
Ermias Sori, Hassaan Abid, Zartasha, Walquiria Pedra, Anuoluwapo Odewabi, Ibrahim Layi Salau, Vaghani Jillkumar, Ali Hyder, Mohammed Mutar, Yasar Sattar
Published in
Journal of arrhythmia. Volume 42. Issue 5. Pages e70499. Epub Oct 09, 2026.
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmias worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), primarily assessed using the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and AF risk, with additional analysis of sleep fragmentation parameters such as wake after sleep onset (WASO) and arousal index (AI).
This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Cochrane Handbook recommendations and PRISMA guidelines, with protocol registration in PROSPERO (No. 127490). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational cohort studies assessing sleep disturbances and AF were included. MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched from inception to February 2026. Extracted data included study characteristics, demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and sleep metrics. Outcomes were incident and recurrent AF. A random-effects model was applied.
Twenty-one cohort studies (611,898 participants) were included. SDB was associated with increased incident AF risk (RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.41-1.97; I 2 = 66.5%), with consistent Bayesian estimates. A dose-response relationship showed a 2% increase in AF risk per unit rise in AHI. For AF recurrence, 11 studies (n = 1810) demonstrated a significant association (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.40-1.72; I 2 = 0%), supported by Bayesian analysis.
Sleep disturbances are significantly associated with both incident and recurrent AF and may represent modifiable risk factors.
PMID:
42859517
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Oct 2026.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 66
- Comments 0