RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Abnormal sympathovagal balance in men with fibromyalgia.
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 581
OP 589
VO 28
IS 3
A1 H Cohen
A1 L Neumann
A1 A Alhosshle
A1 M Kotler
A1 M Abu-Shakra
A1 D Buskila
YR 2001
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/28/3/581.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: It is possible that there are differences in clinical manifestations between men and women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FM), especially in autonomic dysfunction; we assessed the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in postural change in men with FM using power spectral analysis (PSA) of heart rate variability (HRV), and investigated the pathogenesis of the orthostatic intolerance. METHODS: We studied 19 men with FM and 19 controls matched for age and sex. A high resolution electrocardiogram was obtained in supine and standing postures during complete rest. Spectral analysis of R-R intervals was done by the fast Fourier transform algorithm. RESULTS: PSA of HRV revealed that men with FM at rest are characterized by sympathetic hyperactivity and concomitantly reduced parasympathetic activity. During postural changes, male patients demonstrated an abnormal sympathovagal response. These results provide the physiological basis for the orthostatic intolerance in men with FM. CONCLUSION: This report of autonomic dysfunction in men with FM revealed an abnormal autonomic response to orthostatic stress. This abnormality may have implications regarding the symptoms of FM.