THU0686 Heart rate variability in inflammatory joint disease. a meta-analysis
Authors: SA Provan, DS Olstad, EE Solberg, G Smedslund, H Dagfinrud
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2017)

<h3>Background</h3> Autonomic dysfunction is an established predictor of all-cause mortality and post-myocardial infarction mortality. It has been suggested to be a pathogenic factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population, possibly acting through the impact of the autonomic nervous system on inflammation [1]. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a marker of cardiac autonomic function and is increased in many conditions including chronic widespread pain. HRV is responsive to physical exercise. Inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) are characterised by joint inflammation and symptoms include pain, functional decline and restricted movement. Patients with IJD have an increased risk of premature death due to CVD. <h3>Objectives</h3> To compare HRV between adult patients with IJD and healthy controls, using the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) methodology, and to describe the associations between IJD disease activity, pain and physical activity, and HRV. <h3>Methods</h3> A research librarian conducted systematic searches in Medline, Embase and Amed from earliest date until August 2016. Inclusion criteria were adult human case-control studies published in English or a Scandinavian language, presenting data on HRV in patients with IJD (Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Spondyloarthritis (SpA)). Included under the SpA diagnosis were patients with psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Six established measures of HRV were selected: the Square root of mean squared difference of successive R-R interval (rMSSD), high frequency (HF), total power (TP), Ewing protocol standing (E-S), breathing (E-B) and Valsalva (E-V). Patients with RA, SpA and healthy controls were compared separately using random-effects meta-analyses of standardized mean differences (SMD). <h3>Results</h3> 847 titles and abstracts were reviewed, 36 papers were eligible for inclusion (Figure 1). For rMSSD the pooled SMD (95% CI) RA vs. controls was -0.90 (-1.35 to -0.44), for SpA vs. controls; -0.34 (-0.73 to 0.06). For HF, the pooled SMD RA vs. controls was -0.78 (-0.99 to -0.57), for SpA vs. controls; -0.04 (-0.22 to 0.13). For TP the pooled SMD RA vs. controls was -0.60 (-1.26 to 0.06), SpA vs. controls; -0.27 (-0.51 to -0.03). All pooled Ewing parameters were significantly lower in cases compared to controls, except for E-V which was comparable between cases and controls in patients with RA. 18/36 papers examined the relationship of IJD disease activity to HRV, of which the majority, 13, describe an inverse association between the parameters. The impact of pain on HRV was not explored in any study, and only one study explored the impact of physical activity on HRV, finding no cross-sectional association. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Patients with IJD have lower cardiac parasympathetic modulation compared to healthy controls and this may be a risk factor for CVD. There is an inverse relationship between IJD disease activity and HRV. The relationship between pain, physical activity and HRV should be further explored. <h3>References</h3> Kosek E, Altawil R, Kadetoff D, et al. Evidence of different mediators of central inflammation in dysfunctional and inflammatory pain–interleukin-8 in fibromyalgia and interleukin-1 beta in rheumatoid arthritis. J Neuroimmunol. 2015; 280:49–55. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared