title: P wave dispersion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: its relation with clinical and echocardiographic parameters.
abstract: 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.
authors: 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
authors: Hayal
authors: H
authors: Guler
authors: Ergun
authors: E
authors: Seyfeli
authors: Gunsah
authors: G
authors: Sahin
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Duru
authors: Ferit
authors: F
authors: Akgul
authors: Hayrettin
authors: H
authors: Saglam
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Yalcin
mesh_terms: 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