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Autonomic response to stress in interstitial cystitis
Susan K Lutgendorf1, Jerilyn M Latini, Nan Rothrock
1Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. susan-lutgendorf@uiowa.edu
The Journal of Urology
|June 18, 2004
Summary
Patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) exhibit higher resting heart rates and elevated heart rates during stress compared to healthy individuals. However, their blood pressure reactivity to mental stress does not differ significantly from controls.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition associated with sympathetic nervous system overactivity.
- Understanding autonomic dysregulation in IC is crucial for developing effective management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential autonomic nervous system dysregulation in interstitial cystitis (IC).
- To examine the effects of a laboratory mental stress challenge on blood pressure and heart rate (HR) in IC patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- 14 female patients with IC and 14 age-matched controls underwent a 25-minute mental stress challenge.
- Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured before, during, and after the stressor.
- Chronic stress, symptom severity, and pain at voiding were assessed.
Main Results:
- Patients with IC had significantly higher resting heart rates (82.02 bpm) compared to controls (63.31 bpm).
- Elevated heart rates were observed in IC patients at all time points during the stress challenge (p < 0.0001).
- No significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate reactivity to the mental stressor were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with IC demonstrate heightened heart rate at rest and during acute mental stress compared to healthy women.
- Autonomic reactivity to laboratory-induced mental stress does not appear to differ between IC patients and controls.