Analysis of short-term heart rate variability in patients with Crohn’s disease

To investigate the characteristics of heart rate variability in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and the relationship between HRV parameters and inflammatory activity. Background: CD is a chronic inflammatory granuloma disease of the digestive tract. A total of 37 patients with CD and 39 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Demographic information, medication, and medical history were collected from questionnaires completed by all participants. HRV parameters was recorded by 5 min short-term heart rate variability analyzer. Inflammatory factors, Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI), and anxiety and depression were assessed. The mean autonomic nerve function score was 72 in CD group, significantly lower than that in control group (75, P < 0.05). The equilibrium in CD group was strongly lower than that in control group (P = 0.001). CD subjects had lower autonomic nervous function compared with controls, which positively correlated with body mass index. Equilibrium was significantly lower among CD subjects, which negatively correlated with inflammatory markers C reactive protein and platelet count. Autonomic dysfunction was observed in CD subjects, mainly manifested as decreased equilibrium, which this inherent imbalance of autonomic function associated with active inflammation.