Cardiac Dysautonomia, Decreased Baroreflex Sensitivity and Increased Myocardial Workload in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Preliminary Report

BACKGROUND: Chronic stress, a potential risk factor for cardiac autonomic dysfunction and cardiovascular (CV) risk, is known to induce the onset and exacerbation of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), a psychodermatological disorder. However, data regarding CV risks due to the stress associated with CSU are very limited. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at comparing the cardiac sympathovagal balance (SVB), inflammatory markers, perceived stress and quality of sleep in patients with CSU (test group) and normal subjects (control group). In addition, it also aimed at assessing the correlation between the SVB and other study parameters in individuals with CSU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with CSU and twenty-eight age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited for the study. Heart rate variability (HRV), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and biochemical markers of stress and inflammation (s-cortisol, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)) were assessed following standard procedures. Perceived stress and sleep quality were assessed using pre-validated questionnaires. Study parameters were compared between the test and control groups using the independent-samples Student's t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test. The correlation between SVB and other study parameters was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Levels of perceived stress, inflammatory markers, mean arterial pressure (MAP), myocardial workload (rate pressure product (RPP)), and HRV indices indicative of cardiac sympathetic activity were significantly high in individuals with CSU. In contrast, BRS and HRV indices indicative of parasympathetic activity and sleep quality were significantly low in these individuals. There was no significant correlation between SVB and other study parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CSU have cardiac dysautonomia characterised by increased sympathetic activity and decreased parasympathetic activity. Also, the reduced BRS and increased RPP point towards an increased risk of CV morbidity in these individuals.