Systematic review

Open access  CC BY 4.0

Cardiovascular diseases
Volume 224 - Issue 5

Evidence for Decreasing the Age of Atrial Fibrillation Screening for Indigenous People in Australia: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Authors:  Vita Christie, Nicole Lowres, Joseph Hung, Lee Nedkoff, Judith M. Katzenellenbogen, Jessica Orchard, Josephine D. Gwynn, Kai Nash and Katrina D. Ward, Ben Freedman, Tom G. Briffa, Alena Haines, Connie Henson, Rekha Khatri, Prashanthan Sanders, David Brieger, Christopher X. J. Wong, Kylie Gwynne

Correspondence: v.christie@unsw.edu.au

Med J Aust 2026 || doi: 10.5694/mja2.70208
Published online: 24 May 2026
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Abstract

Objective

To determine whether the screening age for atrial fibrillation (AF) should be lowered for Indigenous Australians with the goal of reducing risk of stroke and other health burdens.

Study Design

Systematic review of medical databases identified 24 studies reporting outcome measures: AF incidence/prevalence, age of AF occurrence/diagnosis, cardiovascular risk factors and stroke risk. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal tools. Meta-analysis of mean age of AF onset was performed. An expert panel reviewed the evidence and formed consensus recommendations regarding screening for AF for Indigenous Australians.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, CINAHL, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet and grey literature.

Data Synthesis

The review yielded five key findings. Indigenous Australians when compared with non-Indigenous Australians have: (i) higher AF rates at every age group, and meta-analysis showed onset of AF for Indigenous people at 15.9years (95% CI, 11.5–20.4), younger than for other Australians; (ii) higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors; (iii) higher stroke rates (38%–47% vs. 10%–15% of all strokes occur before age of 55years), higher mortality and other adverse outcomes after stroke and the nationally age standardised risk ratio of death from AF was 1.8 for 1997–2022; (iv) less likelihood of receiving optimal treatment; and (v) greater cost of care for stroke rehabilitation.

Conclusions

The evidence supports an amendment to the AF guideline to opportunistically screen Indigenous Australians from at least age 55years, and when AF is found, follow guideline recommendations for management of rate, rhythm, stroke prevention and concomitant risk factors/comorbidities. Further, the logistics of care should be considered when deciding on the localised care pathway. National implementation of these recommendations should minimise missed diagnoses and ensure timely, accessible and appropriate care/treatment.

Registration

Prospective registration with PROSPERO (CRD42024514586) on 13 May 2024.

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