Parasympathetic Nerve Function Status in Female with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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Date
2013-06
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Abstract
Background: Sudden cardiac death in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis has been attributed to the
decreased vagal drive to the heart. Objective: To assess cardiac parasympathetic nerve function
status in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted
in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbag,
Dhaka from January to December 2010. Sixty female RA patients aged 18-50 years were included in the
study group. They were enrolled from the Out Patient Department of Rheumatology Wing of the
Department of Medicine, BSMMU, Dhaka. For comparison age matched thirty apparently healthy
females were also studied as control. To assess parasympathetic nerve function status, all the subjects
were examined by three noninvasive cardiovascular reflex tests such as heart rate response to valsalva
maneuver (valsalva ratio), heart rate response to deep breathing and heart rate response to standing
(30th :15th ratio). For statistical analysis independent sample t test was used. Results: Mean values
of valsalva ratio, deep breathing test and 30th :15th ratio were significantly (p<0.001) lower in rheumatoid
arthritis patients compared to those of healthy control. Conclusion: From this study it may be
concluded that lower cardiac parasympathetic nerve activity characterized the autonomic nerve
dysfunction in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Description
Keywords
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Parasympathetic nerve function, Cardiovascular reflex test
Citation
Jahan Kawser, Begum Noorzahan, Ferdousi Sultana. Parasympathetic Nerve Function Status in Female with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Journal of Bangladesh Society of Physiologists. 2013 June; 8(1): 21-25.