80 Chapter 3 ms per decade; 95%-CI 4.1-12.3) (table 2A, figure 1B). PR-interval in women with FD was significantly lower compared to control subjects up to the age of 50 years. Notably, the PR-interval remained within the normal range of 120-200 ms in FD patients in all age categories [30] (figure 3B). QRS-duration and QTc QRS-duration showed a significant prolongation over time in patients with FD, in contrast to controls in whom QRS-duration was similar at all ages. This was reflected by a significant difference in the increment of QRS-duration in FD patients as compared to controls (men: FD minus controls: β= 11.1 ms per decade; 95%-CI 9.4-12.7, women: FD patients minus controls β= 9.0 ms per decade; 95%-CI 7.7-10.2) (table 2A, figure 1C). The increment in QRS- duration with ageing did not differ between men and women with FD (FD: men minus women β= 1.2 ms per decade; 95%-CI -0.8-3.2), but QRS- duration was significantly longer in male patients with FD compared to female patients during the entire follow-up period (p=0.001) (figure 1C). Up until 40 years, the absolute values for QRS- duration were not different in FD patients compared to control subjects, while after 40 years, QRS- duration became significantly longer both in male and female FD patients. The QRS-duration reached a threshold of 120 ms or higher between age 40-50 years in males with FD, whilst this point in FD females was reached between age 60-70 years (supplemental table 2, figure 3C). QTc showed significant prolongation with increasing age in all four subgroups, but progression was greater in FD patients (men: FD minus controls: β= 16.4 ms per decade; 95%-CI 13.6-19.3 and women: FD minus controls: β= 8.2 ms per decade; 95%-CI 6.0-10.5, respectively). The difference in QTc could not be explained by difference in heart rate between FD patients and the healthy controls (supplemental figure 6-7). In addition, the increment in QTc with ageing was more pronounced in men with FD compared to women with FD (FD: men minus women: β= 8.2 ms per decade; 95%-CI 4.7-11.6) (table 2A, figure 1D). In accordance with the model, the differences in the absolute value of QTc between FD patients and controls became more pronounced throughout adult life. The QTc reached a threshold of 440 ms or higher between age 40-50 years in men with FD, while abnormal QTc values in women with FD were observed from 50 years of age onwards (supplemental table 2, figure 3D). Cornell index, Spatial QRS-T angle, and Frontal QRS-axis In patients with FD, Cornell index values showed a significant increase with ageing compared to controls where it remained stable (in men) or showed a less pronounced increase (in women) (table 2B). The increment in Cornell index did not differ between men and women with FD (FD: men minus women: β= 0.8 ms per decade; 95%-CI -0.1-1.7), but Cornell index was higher in men compared to
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw