[Clinical implication of assessment of heart rate variability in patients with psoriatic arthritis]

To evaluate clinical significance of heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

HRV was investigated by means of time-domain analysis of 24 h ECG ambulatory recording in 113 PsA (70 female) patients < 55-years-old and 65 age-matched healthy subjects. We assessed the presence of standard cardiovascular risk factors, performed carotid and femoral ultrasound with measurement of intima-medial thickness (IMT) in PsA patients. Inflammatory markers (CRP, fibrinogen) were detected in all the patients.

Significantly lower values of HRV parameters adjusted by Mean NN (SDNNn%, SDNNIN%) were detected in PsA men and women when compared to the control group. There was a significant negative correlation between HRV and disease duration, PsA activity (DAS4, Ritchi index), swollen and tender joint counts, femoral IMT, CRP in PsA males (p < 0.05). SDNNin% was lower in PsA male smokers than in non-smokers (p = 0.03). There was a significant negative correlation between HRV and age, systolic blood pressure, dyslipidemia, body mass index, carotid IMT, CRP, fibrinogen in PsA women.

Reduced HRV reflects sympatho-vagal imbalance in PsA patients associated with the disease duration and activity, smoking, femoral IMT, markers of inflammation (CRP) in males; with standard cardiovascular risk factors, fibrinogen, CRP, carotid IMT in women, and may be identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in further studies.