Short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability in multiple sclerosis
Bušek P.1, Horáková D.1, Opavský J.2, Salinger J.2, Jech R.1, Šlachta R.2, Havrdová E.1
1Neurologická klinika 1. LF UK Praha 2Katedra fyzioterapie a algoterapie, UP Olomouc |
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Summary:
Autonomic disturbances, predominantly sphincter impairment, are common in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Our study performed spectral analysis of heart rate variability (SA HRV) in the supine-standing-supine
test in 50 patients (12 males, 38 females, average age ± SD 33.5 ± 8.6 years) with a confirmed diagnosis
of the remitting form of MS. SA HRV was also performed in a control group of 50 age – and sex-matched
normal individuals. Results of SA HRV were correlated with the degree of clinical impairment (according
to EDSS – Expanded Disability Status Scale), with the presence of sphincter dysfunction, with the
presence of MRI-confirmed infratentorial lesions and with the type of therapy used. Patients with
infratentorial lesions suffered sphincter dysfunction 4.5 times more often than patients in whom only
supratentorial lesions were found. Compared to the control group, MS patients showed a significant
decrease of the high-frequency (HF) component in SA HRV, increased ratio of low-frequency (LF) to HF
component (LF/HF) when standing and decrease of the total power in SA HRV in supine position.
Patients with sphincter dysfunction showed HF decrease when lying down as well. Patients treated
with cytostatics had lower HF and total power in SA HRV compared to other patients. We did not find
correlation between SA HRV parameters and the degree of clinical impairment or the presence of
infratentorial lesions. SA HRV in the supine position test appears to be a sensitive method for detecting
even subclinical changes in the autonomic nervous system.
Key words:
autonomic nervous system, cytostatics, multiple sclerosis, spectral analysis of heart rate
variability.
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