title: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in the course of active pulmonary tuberculosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional alterations of the autonomic nervous system have been described in relation to chronic hypoxemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of neuro-vegetative dysfunction during active tuberculosis in the absence of hypoxemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients affected by pulmonary tuberculosis under standard therapy and 17 matched controls were enrolled. Activation of the sympathetic system was induced by the tilt-up test. Systolic and diastolic arterial pressures and the R-R interval were monitored for 15 min by Finapres and ECG. The baroreflex sensitivity was evaluated by the spontaneous sequences method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Systolic and diastolic pressures were significantly higher at basal conditions and showed a less increase during the tilt test in tuberculosis patients compared to healthy controls. The basal R-R interval was shorter and its reduction during the tilt test was less evident in patients. The baroreflex sensitivity was decreased in patients at basal conditions and its reduction during the tilt test was less evident than in controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary results suggest the presence in tuberculosis patients of an altered autonomic cardiovascular regulation, which is a reduced function of the baroreflex control of the sinus node.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate School of Respiratory Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raimondi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Contini
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maria Legramante
authors.forename: Marialuisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bocchino
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pallante
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzola
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saltini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications*