P wave dispersion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: its relation with clinical and echocardiographic parameters.
P wave dispersion (PWD) is a sign for the prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to assess P wave dispersion and its relation with clinical and echocardiographic parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty RA patients (mean age 49 +/- 10 years) and 27 healthy controls (mean age 47 +/- 8 years) were included in the study. We performed electrocardiography and Doppler echocardiography on patients and controls. Maximum and minimum P wave duration were obtained from electrocardiographic measurements. PWD defined as the difference between maximum and minimum P wave duration was also calculated. Maximum P wave duration and PWD was higher in RA patients than controls (P = 0.031 and P = 0.001, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in minimum P wave duration between the two groups (P = 0.152). There was significant correlation between PWD and disease duration (r = 0.375, P = 0.009) and isovolumetric relaxation time (r = 0.390, P = 0.006). P wave duration and PWD was found to be higher in RA patients than healthy control subjects. PWD is closely associated with disease duration and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction.
Guler
Hayal
H
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Tip Fak. Arastirma Hastanesi, Bağriyanik mah, Ormanci cad, P.K. 3100, Antakya/Hatay, Turkey. hayalguler@superonline.com
Seyfeli
Ergun
E
Sahin
Gunsah
G
Duru
Mehmet
M
Akgul
Ferit
F
Saglam
Hayrettin
H
Yalcin
Fatih
F
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000592:standards; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology