Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 May;34(3):267-277.
doi: 10.6515/ACS.201805_34(3).20180302B.

Worldwide Prevalence of Brugada Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Wasawat Vutthikraivit  1 , Pattara Rattanawong  2 , Prapaipan Putthapiban  3 , Weera Sukhumthammarat  3 , Prin Vathesatogkit  4 , Tachapong Ngarmukos  4 , Ammarin Thakkinstian  5
Affiliations

Worldwide Prevalence of Brugada Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Wasawat Vutthikraivit et al. Acta Cardiol Sin. 2018 May.

Erratum in

  • Erratum: Erratum.
    Rattanawong P. Rattanawong P. Acta Cardiol Sin. 2019 Mar;35(2):192. Acta Cardiol Sin. 2019. PMID: 31396006 Free PMC article.

Abstract

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is considered to be an inherited arrhythmic disease associated with fatal complications and premature sudden unexpected death. The prevalence of the Brugada electrocardiogram pattern (BrP) has been reported in several countries. Nonetheless, the specific worldwide prevalence of BrS has not been reported.

Objective: We estimated the worldwide prevalence of BrS and Type-2/3 BrP in general adult populations using a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature.

Methods: We thoroughly searched MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases up to March 2017. Included studies were population-based electrocardiogram studies in which prevalence was presented or could be calculated from available data. Pooled prevalence by country/region and/or ethnicity was estimated using a random-effect model.

Results: Twenty-eight articles with atotal population of 369,068 were included in this study. The worldwide pooled prevalence of BrS was 0.5 per 1,000 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3-0.7]. The highest prevalence was reported in Southeast Asia (1.8 per 1,000, 95% CI: 0.5-6.6); the lowest was found in North Africa (0 per 1,000). BrS in Asians was nine times more common than in Caucasians and 36 times more common than in Hispanics. The worldwide pooled prevalence of Type-2/3 BrP was 6.1 per 1,000 (95% CI: 5.0-7.1). The highest prevalence was also reported in Southeast Asia (35.5 per 1,000, 95% CI: 17.1-53.9).

Conclusions: This study revealed a significant difference in the worldwide prevalence of BrS and Type-2/3 BrP. Brugada electrocardiogram patterns are highly prevalent in Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Brugada electrocardiogram pattern; Brugada syndrome; Prevalence.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart showing the meta-analysis studies selection. BrP, Brugada electrocardiogram pattern.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot of pooled prevalence of Brugada syndrome in adult population according to 28 cross-sectional and cohort studies.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) Forest plot of pooled prevalence of Brugada syndrome by region and (B) Forest plot of pooled prevalence of Brugada syndrome by ethnicity.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot of pooled prevalence of Type-2/3 Brugada electrocardiogram pattern (BrP) in adult population according to 27 cross-sectional and cohort studies.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(A) Forest plot of pooled prevalence of Type-2/3 Brugada electrocardiogram pattern (BrP) by region and (B) Forest plot of pooled prevalence of Type-2/3 BrP by ethnicity.
Figure 6
Figure 6
World prevalence map of Brugada syndrome.
None
Supplement Data 1. Search term strategy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Brugada P, Brugada J. Right bundle branch block, persistent ST segment elevation and sudden cardiac death: a distinct clinical and electrocardiographic syndrome. A multicenter report. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1992;20:1391–1396. - PubMed
    1. Probst V, Veltmann C, Eckardt L, et al. Long-term prognosis of patients diagnosed with Brugada syndrome: results from the FINGER Brugada Syndrome Registry. Circulation. 2010;121:635–643. - PubMed
    1. Rattanawong P, Ngarmukos T, Chung EH, et al. Prevalence of Brugada ECG pattern in Thailand from a population-based cohort study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;69:1355–1356. - PubMed
    1. Behr E, Wood DA, Wright M, et al. Cardiological assessment of first-degree relatives in sudden arrhythmic death syndrome. Lancet. 2003;362:1457–1459. - PubMed
    1. Postema PG. About Brugada syndrome and its prevalence. Europace. 2012;14:925–928. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources