Baroreflex Sensitivity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and its Correlation with Disease Severity-in South Indian Population

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is systemic disorder which causes autonomicdysfunction and predisposes patients to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. FEV1 is a predictor ofcardiovascular events in COPD patients and Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is most reliable tool to measureautonomic dysfunction. There is paucity of literature, revealing the relationship of BRS with disease severityin COPD patients.Objective: In our study we intended to assess BRS among different stages of COPD (GOLD CRITERIA)and also identify the association of BRS with disease severity.Method: This study was done in collaboration between Department of Physiology & Department ofPulmonary medicine, JIPMER. It is a descriptive study done on (n=130) male COPD patients. Anthropometricparameters (height, weight, BMI, W/H ratio), basal parameters, BRS (using Finapres) & PFT (using SpirolabIII) parameters were assessed in them. Later, based on the GOLD stage criteria (Mild, Moderate, Severe,Very severe) they were divided into 4 sub-groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16.0 version software.One-way ANOVA (>2 groups) was used to find any Statistical difference between the groups. Correlationsbetween the variables were done using Pearson correlation test.Results: Statistically significant (p<0.05)difference in BRS between different stages of COPD was determinedby Kruskal- Wallis test and the post – hoc (Dunn’s) test revealed that BRS levels were significantly reducedin very severe, severe and moderate COPD patients when compared to mild COPD patients. Significantpositive Correlation (r=.332, p=0.05) was found between BRS and FEV1.Conclusion: Baroreflex sensitivity is reduced in male patients of COPD and BRS correlated with lungfunction and disease severity.