Prevalence of Autonomic Neuropathy in Patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Correlation with Disease Severity
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research - Year 2017, Vol 11, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: Autonomic Neuropathy (AN), found to be a strong predictor of sudden cardiac death, has been reported variably in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Manifesting as sweating disturbances, gastrointestinal irregularities, bladder or erectile dysfunction, AN can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life and alter the course of the disease. Aim: This study was undertaken to find out the prevalence and severity of AN in RA patients attending the Rheumatology Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital in New Delhi, India and also to investigate its correlation with patient and disease factors such as age, gender, disease severity, duration and serological status. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, AN was assessed subjectively by a survey of autonomic symptoms. Cardiac autonomic involvement was assessed by five cardiovascular reflex tests as described by Ewing: Heart Rate (HR) response to deep breathing, standing, and Valsalva and Blood Pressure (BP) response to standing and sustained handgrip. Results: A total of 31 RA patients and 31 age and sex matched healthy volunteers were recruited. Upon analysis it was found that the prevalence of cardiac AN was significantly higher in patients (80.65%) as compared to controls (51.61%) (p=0.016). Positive correlation with disease severity was observed with the patient reported questionnaire but not with the objective cardiovascular reflex tests. No significant correlation between grade of AN and patient’s age, gender, disease duration or serological status was established. Conclusion: At the end of the study, it was concluded that the pathological mechanisms responsible for autonomic dysfunction are more active in RA as compared to others.
Authors and Affiliations
Devika Aggarwal, Sumeet Singla
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP337887
- DOI 10.7860/JCDR/2017/24182.9614
- Views 128
- Downloads 0
Categorical Data Analysis: Fundamentals and Perspective Applications in Health Sciences
A BSTRACT This paper introduces the statistical methods for testing differences between paired categorical responses. Application of the independent sample tests while analysing paired data is observed among health scien...
Surgical Outcome of Epicanthus and Telecanthus Correction by Double Z-Plasty and Trans-Nasal Fixation with Prolene Suture in Blepharophimosis Syndrome
Introduction: Blepharophimosis Syndrome (BPES) is a complex and rare disease characterized by epicanthus inversus, telecanthus, lateral ectropion, narrowed or shortened interpalpebral fissure distance and ptosis. It is m...
Fraternal Twin Tumours of the Oesophagus and Stomach Presenting in the Advanced Stage – A Rare Case with a Fatal End
Synchronous primary tumours of the aerodigestive tract presenting with different histologies is a very rare event. A case with such an association is presented here. A 50-year-old lady presented with symptoms of abdomina...
Cu-sil Denture- A Space Maintainer for Function- In Paediatric Patients
The purpose of this report is to introduce Cu-sil like denture as a functional space maintainer. Here, we report two paediatric cases treated with Cu-sil like denture with multiple edentulous spaces and partially erupted...
Factors that Affect the Career and Speciality Preferences of Dentistry Students in Turkey
ABSTRACT Introduction: Many factors may be effective in the career and speciality plans of dentistry students. Graduated students have to make a choice between immediately starting their professional life or choosing a s...