Unveiling the age‐related dynamics in Sjögren's syndrome: Insights from heart rate variability and autonomic function

• Published in: International journal of rheumatic diseases 2024-03, Vol.27 (3), p.e15088-n/a
• Main Authors: Lin, Hong‐Chun, Yen, Chien‐Ming, Chen, Wei‐Sheng, Hsu, Chih‐Chien, Kung, Yen‐Ying, Wu, Jin‐Huang, Su, Yu‐Ting, Chen, Kuo‐Feng, Chen, Hsin‐Yuan, Lien, Chien‐Min, Wang, Ming‐Jen, Chang, Ching‐Mao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Autoantibodies; autonomic nerve system; Autonomic nervous system; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Biopsy; Exocrine glands; Female; Heart Rate; heart rate variability; Humans; Middle Aged; Saliva; Salivary gland; SDNN; Sjogren's syndrome; Sjogren's Syndrome - complications; Sjögren's syndrome; sympathetic activity; Tears; vagal activity; Vagus nerve
• ISSN: 1756-1841; 1756-185X
• DOI: 10.1111/1756-185X.15088

Background Sjögren's Syndrome (SS), mainly affecting women in their midlife, is characterized by persistent inflammation in glands producing tears and saliva, often leading to significant complications. This study investigates the differences in autonomic system functioning between individuals with SS and healthy controls. Methods From April 2019 to December 2022, 329 diagnosed primary SS (pSS) patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. The study assessed autonomic nervous system functioning using various HRV metrics. Participants were divided based on age and AECG criteria, including salivary gland biopsy and autoantibody status. Results Significant differences in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) were observed between pSS patients and healthy controls. The total power index was notably lower in pSS patients (4.98 ± 1.29) than in controls (5.54 ± 1.21, p = .022). Additionally, Vagal (VAG) activity was significantly reduced in the pSS group (4.95 ± 1.33) compared to the healthy control group (5.47 ± 1.19, p = .041). Age‐stratified analysis highlighted that the ≤50 years pSS group had a higher heart rate (77.74 ± 10.42) compared to the >50 years group (73.86 ± 10.35, p = .005). This group also showed a higher total power index (5.78 ± 1.30) versus the >50 years group (4.68 ± 1.19, p 50 years group (33.51 ± 26.18, p = .007). In pSS patients, those positive for both salivary gland biopsy and autoantibodies demonstrated a lower Total Power (4.25 ± 1.32) and R‐wave validity (93.50 ± 4.79, p