title: [Evaluation of autonomic function using posture change].
abstract: There are several examinations to evaluate cardiac autonomic function. Autonomic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and is associated with increased mortality. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is a marker for the ability to augment vagal activity. Several studies have shown that BRS is impaired in diabetes with autonomic neuropathy. The head-up tilt test is the most useful tool to diagnose the neurally mediated syncope. We have developed a new non-invasive method to evaluate the baroreflex using downward tilting (DT-BRS). In our previous study conducted in healthy volunteers and diabetic patients, we demonstrated a strong correlation between systolic blood pressure increase and corresponding RR interval lengthening during downward tilting, which yielded DT-BRS values that correlated well with the BRS value obtained by the phenylephrine method (Phe-BRS). Heart rate responses observed after both squatting and standing (squatting test) are assumed to be a simple and useful tool to assess autonomic activity. We reported that indices of the squatting test showed a significant correlation with BRS assessed by Phe-BRS in diabetes. DT-BRS and the squatting test may provide promising information for the assessment of reflex vagal activity in diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Science, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Oita University School of Medicine, Yufu.
authors.forename: Mikiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Naohiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Tetsuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shinohara
authors.forename: Yayoi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: Futoshi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anan
authors.forename: Hidetoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yonemochi
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saikawa
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017704:Baroreflex; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D013599:Systole; D018667:Tilt-Table Test / Q000379:methods*