Autonomic neuropathy is associated with increased mortality. In patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), disturbances in the autonomic nervous system have been described using conventional cardiovascular reflex tests. Heart rate variability (HRV) measured from Holter recording has proved to be a reliable and sensitive method in assessing autonomic function and prognosis. We evaluated cardiovascular autonomic function based on HRV in patients with primary SS compared to the general population.
We analyzed HRV from 24 h electrocardiography recordings in 28 patients with primary SS and 28 healthy age and sex-matched population-based controls.
There were no significant differences in time or frequency domains or nonlinear measures of HRV between the groups.
The prevalence of autonomic disturbances is not increased in patients with primary SS compared to the general population.