title: Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Objective is to evaluate cardiovascular autonomic function in SLE by simple non-invasive tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case control study was carried out involving 18-50 yrs old previously diagnosed SLE patients and same number of age and sex-matched controls. Parasympathetic function was assessed by heart rate (HR) response to Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing and standing. Sympathetic function was evaluated by blood pressure response to standing and sustained hand-grip test (HGT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 50 female SLE patients. They had significantly higher minimum resting HR and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). HR variation with deep breathing, expiratory inspiratory ratio, 30:15 ratio and DBP change in response to HGT were significantly lower inpatients compared to controls. Thirty patients (60%) had at least one abnormal or two borderline test results indicating autonomic impairment of which 27 had parasympathetic dysfunction and 7 had sympathetic dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autonomic dysfunction is common in SLE with higher prevalence of parasympathetic impairment.
authors.forename: Md Mahboob
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Pinaki
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Parasar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Md Salim Uz
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Zaman
authors.forename: Madhusmita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boro
authors.forename: Manika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadhu
authors.forename: Ardhendu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazumdar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged