Worldwide prevalence of early repolarization pattern in general population and physically active individuals

Abstract

Background: The early repolarization pattern (ERP) has recently been associated with cardiac events such as ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, estimates of the prevalence of ERP vary widely, especially between the general population and physically active individuals. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the worldwide prevalence of ERP in the general population and physically active individuals. Methods: We thoroughly searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases for relevant studies published until December 20, 2020. Studies in which prevalence was presented or could be estimated from eligible data were included. The pooled prevalence was analyzed using a random-effect model. Results: Finally, we included 29 studies (182,135 subjects) in the general population and 14 studies (8087 subjects) in the physically active individuals. The worldwide pooled prevalence of ERP in the general population was 11.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.0%–13.3%). The incidence of ERP was 17.0% and 6.2% in men and women, respectively. The prevalence was 20.9% in blacks, 13.4% in Asians, and 10.1% in Caucasians. Additionally, the prevalence of ERP in physically active individuals was 33.9% (95% CI: 25.3%–42.6%). Conclusion: A significant difference in the worldwide prevalence of ERP is revealed in this study. The ERP is highly prevalent in men, blacks, and physically active individuals.

Primary Electrical Heart Disease—Principles of Pathophysiology and Genetics

“…Prevalence variations exist among different racial groups [145,149,152]. Notably, ERP exhibits a higher prevalence in physically active individuals, reported as reaching 33.9% [145]. Research on ERS consistently indicated a higher prevalence among men [153][154][155][156][157] and a younger age at diagnosis [154,156].…”

“…The prevalence of ERP in the general population displays variability based on different studies and specific populations, spanning a range from 1.3% to 13.3%, although metaanalytical studies reported prevalence figures for the general population between 6.7% and 11.6% [145][146][147][148][149][150][151]. Prevalence variations exist among different racial groups [145,149,152]. Notably, ERP exhibits a higher prevalence in physically active individuals, reported as reaching 33.9% [145].…”

“…Research on ERS consistently indicated a higher prevalence among men [153][154][155][156][157] and a younger age at diagnosis [154,156]. Identified independent risk factors associated with ERP include younger age, male gender, lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), shorter QRS duration, a shorter QTc interval, and hypothermia [145,146,151].…”

Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young: State-of-the-Art Review in Molecular Autopsy

“…It has a prevalence in the general population between 1.3% and 13.3%, with higher prevalence in physically active individuals up to 33.9%, and in men [48,53], and it is responsible for 7.3% of SCD [48].…”