ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background: The relationship between 1/f fluctuation of the heart rate variability and Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated, in order to clarify whether autonomic nervous dysfunction is a necessary condition for chronic peptic ulcer formation. Methods: The subjects were 11 patients with recurrent chronic peptic ulcer and 20 age-matched normal subjects. Holter ECGs were recorded over 24 h, and the 1/f –x fluctuation of the heart rate was computed. The 1/f –x fluctuation of the heart rate is a novel index of autonomic function that has been shown to reflect a patient's pleasant mood. For 1/f –x fluctuation, the slope of the regression line (–x) was determined and cosine fitting of the absolute slope of the regression line over a 24-h period was performed. Results: For the normal group, the absolute slope of the regression line during daytime and night-time were 0.53 ± 0.16 and 1.05 ± 0.18, respectively. For the peptic ulcer group, the corresponding values during daytime and night-time were 0.94 ± 0.15 and 1.84 ± 0.18, respectively. The mean value of the cosine curve was 0.76 ± 0.23 in the normal group and 1.12 ± 0.25 in the peptic ulcer group. Thus, these values were significantly higher for the latter group than for the former group (P 〈 0.05). No statistically significant difference in H. pylori infection between the two groups was observed. Conclusions: Autonomic nervous dysfunction as well as H. pylori infection appears to be a necessary condition for chronic peptic ulcer formation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2000.014s1082.x
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