Background: The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) presents a markedly increasing trend with advancing age. Thus, with the growing population of elderly individuals, AF has emerged as a significant medical and socioeconomic problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 10P (MAPK10P) gene polymorphism with P-wave peak time (Pwd) and P-wave dispersion (Pmax) among elderly individuals with paroxysmal AF.

Methods: From January 2021 to October 2022, 125 elderly patients with essential hypertension were recruited for research in our Cardiology Department. According to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Atrial Fibrillation Management Guidelines, 53 patients with ≥2 documented paroxysmal AF episodes in the previous year were classified as the observation group, while 72 patients without AF formed the control group. Patient data were collected, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram was used to measure Pwd and Pmax. MAPK10P genotype was identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The association between MAPK10P genotype and AF risk, as well as the impact of different genotypes on Pwd and Pmax parameters, were evaluated.

Results: The baseline characteristics did not show any significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The values of Pwd and Pmax in the observation group were significantly greater than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The occurrence rate of the CC genotype was lower in the observation group than in the control group (p < 0.05), while the occurrence rates of the CG and GG genotypes were higher in the observation group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the frequency of the G allele was higher in the observation group than in the control group (p < 0.05). AF patients with the CG+GG genotype exhibited higher Pwd and Pmax values compared to those with the CC genotype (p < 0.05). Patients without AF who had the CG+GG genotype had higher Pwd and Pmax values compared to those with the CC genotype (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: In elderly patients, the presence of the G allele in the MAPK10P gene polymorphism is linked to an increased risk of AF, as well as Pwd and Pmax. This study provides valuable insights into the potential role of MAPK10P gene variations in influencing P-wave characteristics during the development of paroxysmal AF in elderly patients.