R-R Interval Variation and Sympathetic Skin Response in Fibromyalgia

Background tudy proposed to assess the autonomic nervous system (ANS) functions in fibromyalgia (FM) by using two electrophysiological tests, sympathetic skin response (SSR) and the heart rate variability named R-R interval variation (RRIV). s hetic skin response and RRIV were studied in 29 female patients with FM and 22 healthy age-matched female controls. R-R interval variation at rest (R%), during deep breathing (D%), the difference between D% and R% (D–R) and the ratio of D–R% (D/R) were determined. Pain threshold was measured using a mechanical algometer. s terval variation at rest (R%) and D/R did not show significant difference between patients and controls, whereas D% and D–R were significantly lower in patients compared to controls. SSR latencies of patientsʹ hands and feet had no significant difference compared to controlsʹ hand and feet SSR latencies. SSR latencies of patientsʹ hands correlated significantly with control point score, total myalgic score, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Sympathetic skin response latencies of patientsʹ feet correlated only with HARS. sions is of heart rate variability may be useful and complementary to clinical examination in patients with symptoms of dysfunction in cardiovascular reflex pathways.