Autonomic nervous system evaluation using heart rate variability parameters in vasomotor rhinitis patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the autonomic nervous system in vasomotor rhinitis patients using heart rate variability parameters.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The heart rate variability parameters (SDANN, SDNN, SDNN index, RMSSD, pNN50, triangular index) of 26 patients with vasomotor rhinitis were compared with those of 25 control subjects.

RESULTS

The decrease in the SDANN and SDNN index in the vasomotor rhinitis patients is statistically significant. Likewise, the SDNN and triangular index decreased but not to a statistically significant degree. The decrease in rMSSD and pNN50, which are signs of parasympathetic nervous system hyperactivation, in the patient group is statistically significant when compared with the control group (p < .005).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that there might be an abnormality in the autonomic nervous system of vasomotor rhinitis patients, which might be due to a hyperactive parasympathetic nervous system.