Background: Cardiovascular autonomic control has been widely studied in fibromyalgia
syndrome (FMS). Nevertheless, there are many methodological difficulties in quantifying
baroreflex sensitivity by traditional indices, especially regarding the issue of causality.
Thus, a Granger causality approach has been recently proposed, revealing a reduced
strength of baroreflex control during orthostatic stimulus in women with FMS. However,
whether the reduced strength of the baroreflex control during orthostatic stimulus
is related to the impact of fibromyalgia on quality of life is unknown. Objective:
To evaluate the relationship between the strength of the baroreflex involvement during
orthostatic position and the impact of fibromyalgia on quality of life. Methods: Twenty
women with FMS took part in the study. The electrocardiogram, non-invasive finger
blood pressure and respiratory activity were continuously recorded for all participants
during 15 minutes in orthostatic position reached by active standing. A Granger causality approach
was utilized to assess, through the calculation of the causality ratio, the strength
of the causal relation from systolic arterial pressure (SAP) to heart period (HP)
variability series (CRSAP→HP). The more negative the CRSAP→HP, the higher the strength of the causal link from SAP to HP. The impact of fibromyalgia
on quality of life was quantified by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ).
Results: Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between the
CRSAP→HP and the FIQ scores (r = 0.56, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The stronger the baroreflex involvement during orthostatic position
in women with FMS, the lower the impact of fibromyalgia on quality of life.
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© 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.