A Study of Autonomic Function in Newly Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis Individuals Using Heart Rate Variability as a Tool

Authors

  • Abiramasundari Ramanathan, Celine. D, Lovie Beneta. T, Viji Devanand Assistant Professor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v7i3.108

Keywords:

Rheumatoid arthritis, Autonomic function, Heart rate variability.

Abstract

Background

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic systemic inflammatory polyarthritis. The most common extra articular complication is the cardiovascular system involvement. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a noninvasive tool for assessing cardiovascular autonomic function. In our study, we assessed the cardiovascular autonomic function in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis individuals by using short term Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis.

Method

It was a cross sectional study. Study group consisted of 40 newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis individuals from Rheumatology outpatient department, Stanley Medical College. Age and sex matched 40 healthy subjects were selected as controls. HRV parameters were recorded by using RMS polyrite version 2.2 D hardware.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS version 17. Independent t test was done to compare the groups.

Result

The comparison of the mean Heart Rate (HR) showed a statistically significant increase in the study group (79.55±7.78) than the control group (70.83±7.52). The systolic blood pressure (SBP)was significantly increased in the study group (118.3± 7.1) than the control group (108.3 ± 10.1). There was a significant reduction of SDNN in the study group (24.97±8.9) than the control group (51.64± 25.35). There was a significant reduction in RMSSD in the study group (22.92±12.77) than the control group(55.73± 33.44). The LF power(64.74± 20.87) and the LF/HF ratio (2.79± 2.33) were increased in the study group than the control group (52.02± 14.68), (1.04±0.66). The HF power was decreased in the study group (34.39±19.38) than the controlgroup (45.94± 14.68).

Conclusion

We observed that there was sympathetic overactivity and reduced parasympathetic activity in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis individuals. Thus assessment of autonomic functions by HRV analysis helps in early diagnosis and prompt intervention of cardiovascular complication in RA patients.

Author Biography

  • Abiramasundari Ramanathan, Celine. D, Lovie Beneta. T, Viji Devanand, Assistant Professor

    Ramanathan Abiramasundari1, Celine D.2,*, Beneta T. Lovie3, Devanand Viji4

    1Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai

    2Professor, Department of Physiology, Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai

    3Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai

    4Professor & HOD, Department of Physiology, Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai

Published

2019-07-25

How to Cite

A Study of Autonomic Function in Newly Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis Individuals Using Heart Rate Variability as a Tool. (2019). International Journal of Physiology, 7(3), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijop.v7i3.108