Rosangela A Hoshi1, Itamar S Santos1, Eduardo M Dantas2, Rodrigo V Andreão3, José G Mill4, Alessandra C Goulart1, Paulo A Lotufo1, Isabela Bensenor1. 1. Center for Clinical and Epidemiologic Research of University Hospital, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil, Zip 05508-000. 2. Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Vale do Sao Francisco, Petrolina, PE, Brazil, Zip 56304-917. 3. Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal Institute of Espirito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil, Zip 29056-255. 4. Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Center, Vitória, ES, Brazil, Zip 29047-105.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Both increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and low heart rate variability (HRV) have been associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether cardio autonomic alterations are accompanied or not by subclinical atherosclerosis in participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). METHODS: cIMT measures and 5-minute HRV analyses were performed in apparently healthy adults. HRV was evaluated by linear time and frequency domain analyses. cIMT was defined as the average between the mean left and mean right cIMT values and was analyzed as a continuous and categorized variable (P≥75 or P<75). Multiple linear models using continuous variables and multivariate logistic regression with categorized cIMT and HRV quartiles were performed. RESULTS: Out of 7,256 participants eligible for analyses, 23.4% presented cIMT≥75th percentile. HRV variables were reduced in cIMT≥P75 in comparison to <P75: SDNN 33.0 vs. 37.0ms, P< 0.001; RMSSD 22.0 vs. 26.0ms, P< 0.001; LF 191.0 vs. 260.0ms2 , P< 0.001; HF 164.0 vs. 238.5ms2 , P< 0.001). In crude analysis, an increased odds ratio for cIMT≥P75 was verified within the lowest two quartiles of LF and HF, but significances did not remain after adjustments for anthropometric and clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the entire sample, subjects with cIMT≥P75 presented lower HRV values, but no independent relationships were detected between cIMT and HRV after multivariate adjustment.
BACKGROUND: Both increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and low heart rate variability (HRV) have been associated with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether cardio autonomic alterations are accompanied or not by subclinical atherosclerosis in participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). METHODS: cIMT measures and 5-minute HRV analyses were performed in apparently healthy adults. HRV was evaluated by linear time and frequency domain analyses. cIMT was defined as the average between the mean left and mean right cIMT values and was analyzed as a continuous and categorized variable (P≥75 or P<75). Multiple linear models using continuous variables and multivariate logistic regression with categorized cIMT and HRV quartiles were performed. RESULTS: Out of 7,256 participants eligible for analyses, 23.4% presented cIMT≥75th percentile. HRV variables were reduced in cIMT≥P75 in comparison to <P75: SDNN 33.0 vs. 37.0ms, P< 0.001; RMSSD 22.0 vs. 26.0ms, P< 0.001; LF 191.0 vs. 260.0ms2 , P< 0.001; HF 164.0 vs. 238.5ms2 , P< 0.001). In crude analysis, an increased odds ratio for cIMT≥P75 was verified within the lowest two quartiles of LF and HF, but significances did not remain after adjustments for anthropometric and clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the entire sample, subjects with cIMT≥P75 presented lower HRV values, but no independent relationships were detected between cIMT and HRV after multivariate adjustment.