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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.
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|November 20, 2025
Summary
A wearable vital signs patch could not distinguish ulcerative colitis (UC) disease activity or fatigue severity using heart rate variability (HRV). However, HRV showed associations with inflammation markers, suggesting further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) significantly impacts quality of life, with fatigue being a common yet overlooked symptom.
- Heart rate variability (HRV) shows potential for detecting inflammation onset in UC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the capability of a novel wearable vital signs patch in assessing UC disease activity and fatigue severity via HRV.
- To investigate associations between HRV metrics and various patient-reported outcomes and biochemical markers.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional pilot study involved 72-hour remote HRV monitoring using a noninvasive wearable device in UC patients.
- Associations were analyzed between multiple HRV metrics and fatigue, anxiety, depression, quality of life, clinical symptoms, and biochemical disease activity markers.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in HRV metrics were found between clinically active and quiescent UC, or between fatigued and non-fatigued patients.
- Two HRV metrics correlated with biochemical disease activity; age, sex, and antidepressant use influenced HRV.
- A strong correlation was observed between fatigue and depression in UC patients.
Conclusions:
- The wearable vital signs patch did not differentiate UC disease activity or fatigue severity based on HRV.
- Associations between HRV and biochemical inflammation markers suggest potential, warranting further investigation in larger cohorts.
