title: Atrioventricular conduction time in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: The atrioventricular conduction time (P-R interval) was determined in 189 women and 90 men with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Only three women and one man were found to have pathological prolongation of the P-R interval. However, a significant prolongation of the P-R interval, within normal range, was seen in women with RA compared with healthy controls. Apart from the relation to radiographically enlarged heart, prolonged P-R interval showed no association with other signs of RA and had no prognostic implications in the follow-up period (mean 5.4 years). Current chloroquine therapy delayed the atrioventricular conduction while corticosteroids accelerated it.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Jurik
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Møller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000009:adverse effects; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006046:Gold; D002738:Chloroquine