title: Normal Heart Rate Variability in Colchicine-Resistant Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is controversial. We recently reported normal heart rate variability (HRV), suggestive of normal ANS, in patients with uncomplicated FMF.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate ANS function in colchicine non-responders by using the HRV tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group comprised 24 FMF patients suffering from recurrent FMF attacks despite treatment with a maximal colchicine dose. Electrocardiogram was measured under strict conditions and HRV parameters were calculated. Results were compared with age- and gender-matched unaffected controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in any of the HRV parameters: maximal RR, minimal RR and average RR intervals, standard deviation of RR interval, square root of the mean squared differences of successive RR intervals, HRV triangular index, NN50, pNN50, and power spectral analysis parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a small difference in HRV parameters in the current study cannot be entirely excluded, FMF patients in whom colchicine did not provide adequate symptomatic relief and who did not develop amyloidosis appear to have normal HRV parameters suggestive of normal ANS function, compared with healthy adults.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nussinovitch
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Esev
authors.forename: Merav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lidar
authors.forename: Udi
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nussinovitch
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Livneh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D003078:Colchicine