Author/Authors :
Biçer, Asuman Harran University - School of Medicine - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Akdemir, Ramazan Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Research and Educational Hospital - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Karakurt, Özlem Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Research and Educational Hospital - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Akış, Havva Kaya Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Research and Educational Hospital - Department of Dermatology, Turkey , Karasu, Betül Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Research and Educational Hospital - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Sezen, Yusuf Harran University - School of Medicine - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Güntekin, Ünal Harran University - School of Medicine - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Yıldız, Ali Harran University - School of Medicine - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Demirbağ, Recep Harran University - School of Medicine - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Eskioğlu, Fatma Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Research and Educational Hospital - Department of Dermatology, Turkey
Abstract :
Objectives: Psoriasis vulgaris (PV) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with increased incidence of many systemic abnormalities. However, the effects of psoriasis on autonomic nervous system have not been previously well-defined. Impaired autonomic function with an increase in sympathetic activity may be associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in the general population. Heart rate turbulence (HRT) is a noninvasive test to reflect the increased sympathetic tone and abnormal baroreflex sensitivity. The aim of current study was to investigate the effect of psoriasis on cardiac autonomic function by using HRT and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters as possible indicators of increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Materials and methods: The study comprised 20 psoriatic patients without cardiovascular involvement and age and sex matched 20 healthy subjects. The severity of the disease was evaluated by the “Psoriasis Area and Severity Index”. The HRV and turbulence analysis were assessed from a 24-hour Holter recording. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to clinical, demographic and biochemical characteristics. When HRT parameters were compared; the values of the turbulence onset and slope in psoriatic patients were not significantly different from the control group (p 0.05). HRV parameters except for high frequency power (significantly lower in psoriatic patients, p 0.05) also did not differ between the both groups (p 0.05). Conclusion: Psoriasis appeared not to be associated with impaired autonomic function regarding to HRT and HRV values. Further investigations are needed to confirm these results.
