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Measuring Fatigue and Heart Rate Variability Using A Wearable Patch in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Cross-Sectional
Paula I Metselaar1, Mees J van der Hoff2, Tim J van den Broek3
1Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, AGEM, Amsterdam UMC.
Background:
Heart rate variability (HRV) can detect the onset of inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC), a condition in which fatigue is an often-overlooked symptom that significantly affects patients' quality of life. Here, the capability of a novel validated wearable vital signs patch measuring HRV to assess disease activity and fatigue severity was explored in UC patients.
Study:
In a cross-sectional pilot study, HRV was remotely monitored for 72 hours using a noninvasive wearable device in patients with active and quiescent UC. Associations were explored between 2 time-domain, 3 frequency-domain, and 2 nonlinear HRV metrics and fatigue [multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI)], anxiety and depression [hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS)], quality of life (SF-12), clinical symptoms [simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI)], and biochemical disease activity [fecal calprotectin (Fcal), C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin, HNP1-3 and S100A8/A9].
Results:
A total of 24 patients were included, of which 18 (75%) reported fatigue (MFI ≥60). No significant differences in HRV metrics were observed between clinically active and quiescent UC or between more and less fatigued UC patients. Two HRV metrics were associated with biochemical disease activity and all HRV metrics were significantly influenced by age, sex, and antidepressant use. There was a strong correlation between fatigue and depression.
Conclusions:
Although the wearable vital signs patch could not distinguish between active and quiescent UC or detect fatigue severity based on HRV differences, associations were found between HRV and biochemical markers of inflammation, underscoring the need for further research using larger patient cohorts.
