Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on the rise

In Japan, the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), regardless of subtype, increased between 2016 and 2020, a recent study has found.

Researchers conducted a retrospective database analysis of 3,913 patients with obstructive (o)HCM and 21,714 patients with nonobstructive (n)HCM. Data were retrieved from 438 hospitals across Japan, and the study sought to describe the prevalence of HCM in the country, the change in frequency throughout the years, clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns.

In 2016, oHCM had a prevalence rate of 25.95 per 100,00 cases, which grew by 27 percent to 33.07 per 100,000 in 2020. A similar but gentler rise was reported for nHCM, which had a prevalence rate of 152.46 per 100,000 in 2016 and grew by 12 percent to 170.40 per 100,000 in 2020.

The age group affected by HCM also changed through the years. In 1999, HCM, regardless of subtype, was most common in those aged 60–69 years. In 2020, the 70–79-year age group saw the highest HCM prevalence.

Comorbidities were also common in HCM patients. Hypertension was the most common co-occurring condition, presenting in 72.6 percent of oHCM patients and in 66.9 percent of nHCM patients. This was followed by diabetes mellitus. Hospitalization, atrial fibrillation, and other arrhythmias were likewise common in HCM patients.

In terms of treatment, β-blockers were the most common medicines given, followed by sodium channel blockers, calcium channel blockers, and direct oral anticoagulants.

“This nationwide claims-based database provides important insights on the current epidemiological and clinical characteristics of HCM in Japan,” the researchers said.