HEART RATE VARIABILITY IS AFFECTED IN YOUNG ADULT CELIAC PATIENTS, INDICATING AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION AND INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

Abstract

Aim: Celiac Disease (CD) is a common autoimmune disease that can present at any age with varied symptoms. Cardiac involvement including vascular and arrhythmic disturbances has an important prognostic value in patients with autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CD on cardiovascular autonomic functions by measuring the indices of heart rate variability (HRV). Materials and Methods: Ninety-one CD patients and the ninety-three healthy volunteers were included in the study. We examined both time domain and frequency domain indices of HRV measured by 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography. Results: All of the time domain and frequency domain HRV parameters, with the exceptions of low frequency power and low frequency to high frequency ratio, were significantly lower in patients with CD compared to the control (p < 0.01). This difference retained for most of the HRV parameters when daytime and nighttime HRV parameters were compared separately. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations of HRV parameters with hemoglobin and ferritin levels and with duration of CD (p < 0.01). No correlation was found between HRV parameters and anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA and IgG levels which indicate the activity of the disease. Conclusion: The study confirmed that patients with CD have reduced HRV, indicating the presence of objective autonomic dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk.