Journal article
Association Between Atrial Fibrillation and Occupational Exposure in Firefighters Based on Self-Reported Survey Data
Journal of the American Heart Association, Vol.11(7), pp.e022543-e022543
04/05/2022
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.121.022543
PMCID: PMC9075462
PMID: 35319223
Abstract
Background Exposure to inhaled smoke, pollutants, volatile organic compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the firefighting environment has been associated with detrimental respiratory and cardiovascular effects, making firefighters a unique population with both personal and occupational risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Some of these exposures are also associated with development of atrial fibrillation. We aimed to study the association of atrial fibrillation and occupational exposure in firefighters. Methods and Results A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2018 and December 2019. Data were gathered electronically and stored in a secure REDCap database through Louisiana State University Health Shreveport. Firefighters who were members of at least 1 of 5 preselected professional organizations were surveyed via electronic links distributed by the organizations. The survey queried the number of fires fought per year as a measure of occupational exposure, as well as self-reported cardiovascular disease. A total of 10 860 active firefighters completed the survey, of whom 93.5% were men and 95.5% were aged ≤60 years. Firefighters who fought a higher number of fires per year had a significantly higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (0-5 fires per year 2%, 6-10 fires per year 2.3%, 11-20 fires per year 2.7%, 21-30 fires per year 3%, 31 or more fires per year 4.5%;
<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed that a higher number of fires fought per year was associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (odds ratio 1.14 [95% CI, 1.04-1.25];
=0.006). Conclusions Firefighters may have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation associated with the number of fires they fight per year. Further clinical and translational studies are needed to explore causation and mechanisms.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Association Between Atrial Fibrillation and Occupational Exposure in Firefighters Based on Self-Reported Survey Data
- Creators
- Catherine Vanchiere - Temple University Health SystemRithika Thirumal - University of CincinnatiAditya Hendrani - Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center ShreveportParinita Dherange - Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center ShreveportAngela Bennett - Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center ShreveportRunhua Shi - Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center ShreveportRakesh Gopinathannair - Heart Rhythm SocietyBrian Olshansky - University of Iowa Health CareDenise L Smith - Skidmore CollegePaari Dominic - Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of the American Heart Association, Vol.11(7), pp.e022543-e022543
- DOI
- 10.1161/JAHA.121.022543
- PMID
- 35319223
- PMCID
- PMC9075462
- NLM abbreviation
- J Am Heart Assoc
- ISSN
- 2047-9980
- eISSN
- 2047-9980
- Grant note
- P20 GM121307 / NIGMS NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/05/2022
- Academic Unit
- Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984366271802771
Metrics
27 Record Views