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Alcohol-dependence syndrome: Postural challenge on heart rate variability
S Sucharita1, Johnson Pradeep, Anoop Vincent
1Human Physiological Laboratory, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India ; Department of Physiology, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Alcohol-Dependence Syndrome (ADS) patients show reduced cardiac autonomic responses to standing. Heart rate variability (HRV) with postural challenge may aid in early detection of autonomic dysfunction in ADS.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
Background:
- Cardiac autonomic dysfunction is documented in Alcohol-Dependence Syndrome (ADS) patients via conventional tests.
- Previous studies have reported resting heart rate variability (HRV) in ADS without normalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cardiac autonomic changes using HRV during postural challenges in ADS patients and controls.
- To control for confounding factors in the evaluation of autonomic function in ADS.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study included 27 male subjects with ADS and age-matched healthy controls.
- Clinical assessments utilized the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire.
- Spectral measures of HRV were recorded in supine and standing positions.
Main Results:
- ADS subjects exhibited an attenuated response in delta high-frequency power (P=0.06) and delta low-frequency power (P=0.04) upon standing compared to controls.
- This indicates a blunted autonomic response to postural changes in individuals with ADS.
Conclusions:
- Patients with ADS demonstrate diminished cardiac vagal and sympathetic responses to standing.
- HRV analysis during postural challenges shows potential for earlier identification of autonomic dysfunction in ADS.
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