title: Autonomic vagal nerve dysfunction in patients with ulcerative colitis.
abstract: Autonomic nerve function was evaluated in 40 patients with total ulcerative colitis and in 25 patients with irritable bowel syndrome by three established non-invasive tests based on the heart reactions to deep breathing (E/I ratio) and tilt (acceleration and brake index). None of the patients were diabetic. Most of the patients with ulcerative colitis were clinically and biochemically inactive; 10 had previously undergone colectomy. The results were compared with a control group consisting of 56 healthy individuals and 33 previously investigated patients with Crohn's disease, 45% of whom demonstrated autonomic neuropathy (AN). Patients with ulcerative colitis had a significantly lower E/I ratio than controls in age-corrected values, indicating vagal nerve dysfunction. Altogether, 35% had signs of AN. In patients with irritable bowel syndrome 36% had evidence of AN, a figure in agreement with observations from other investigators. We conclude that AN is common in patients with ulcerative colitis, regardless of disease activity and previous colectomy. In contrast to a predominantly sympathetic dysfunction in Crohn's disease, AN in ulcerative colitis was vagal.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medicine, Malmö General Hospital, Lund University, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stewenius
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sjölund
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lilja
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sundkvist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000032:analysis; D011187:Posture; D012119:Respiration; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D009961:Orosomucoid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein