title: Prevalence of QT interval prolongation in inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is growing evidence linking various cardiac complications with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Electrolyte abnormalities, chronic inflammation, and medication use (such as Infliximab) that are associated with IBD are all independent risk factors for QT interval prolongation. Given that malignant ventricular arrhythmias are associated with QT interval prolongation, it is important to risk stratify this subset of patients. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal QT interval prolongation (defined by a QT interval of >450 ms in men and >460 ms in women) in an IBD population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of patients with IBD from the Metro Hospital database was performed. Patients' demographic characteristics and laboratory data were abstracted. "RR" and "QT" intervals were measured from the last available electrocardiogram, and corrected QT (QTc) interval was calculated from lead II using Bazett's formula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 142 eligible patients, 42.3% (n=22/52) of males and 48.9% (n=44/90) of females had a prolonged QTc interval. Patients with IBD having a prolonged QTc interval had a higher body mass index than those with a normal QTc interval (29.7±6.9 vs. 26.2±5.9, p=0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrates that patients with IBD are at a higher risk of developing QTc interval prolongation.
authors: Department of Heart and Vascular Center, MetroHealth Campus of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA. deepakPJ@yahoo.com.
authors: Deepak J
authors: DJ
authors: Pattanshetty
authors: Rama Dilip
authors: RD
authors: Gajulapalli
authors: Kiran
authors: K
authors: Anna
authors: Raja Shekhar
authors: RS
authors: Sappati Biyyani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors