Correlation between health-related quality of life in the physical domain and heart rate variability in asymptomatic adults

Preterm birth risk stratification through longitudinal heart rate and HRV monitoring in daily life

Preterm birth (PTB) remains a global health concern, impacting neonatal mortality and lifelong health consequences. Traditional methods for estimating PTB rely on electronic health records or biomedical signals, limited to short-term assessments in clinical settings. Recent studies have leveraged wearable technologies for in-home maternal health monitoring, offering continuous assessment of maternal autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and facilitating the exploration of PTB risk. In this paper, we conduct a longitudinal study to assess the risk of PTB by examining maternal ANS activity through heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). To achieve this, we collect long-term raw photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals from 58 pregnant women (including seven preterm cases) from gestational weeks 12-15 to three months post-delivery using smartwatches in daily life settings. We employ a PPG processing pipeline to accurately extract HR and HRV, and an autoencoder machine learning model with SHAP analysis to generate explainable abnormality scores indicative of PTB risk. Our results reveal distinctive patterns in PTB abnormality scores during the second pregnancy trimester, indicating the potential for early PTB risk estimation. Moreover, we find that HR, average of interbeat intervals (AVNN), SD1SD2 ratio, and standard deviation of interbeat intervals (SDNN) emerge as significant PTB indicators.

Pulse rate variability and health-related quality of life assessment with the Short Form-8 Japanese version in the general Japanese population

We aimed to investigate the association between pulse rate variability (PRV) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the general population. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 5908 Japanese men and women aged 30-79 years. PRV was assessed at rest using 5-min recordings of pulse waves with a photoplethysmographic signal from a fingertip sensor, and the time and frequency domains of PRV were determined. HRQOL was assessed with the Short Form-8 (SF-8) Japanese version, and poor HRQOL was defined as an SF-8 sub-scale score < 50. A test for nonlinear trends was performed with the generalized additive model with a smoothing spline adjusted for confounders. The lowest multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for poor physical component score were found in those who had second or third quartile levels of standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive difference (RMSSD), and high-frequency (HF) power and trended slightly upward in the higher levels. PRV-derived parameters were nonlinearly associated with poor physical component scores. In conclusion, reduced PRV-derived SDNN, RMSSD and HF power were associated with poor HRQOL in the domain of physical function. Higher levels of these parameters did not necessarily translate into better HRQOL.

Association between health-related quality of life and heart rate variability in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment in Korea: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment, a characteristic and prior stage of dementia, is a serious public health concern in Korea a country with rapidly aging population. In a neurovisceral integration model, cognitive ability is connected to emotional and autonomic regulation via an interconnection in the brain, which may be associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

This study investigated the association between the HRQoL and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) via EuroQoL-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) and heart rate variability (HRV) among 417 patients who visited the Neurology Department in Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.

RESULTS

The mean age of 275 patients in the cognitive impairment group (CIG) was higher than that of 142 patients in the normal cognition group (NCG) (74.85 years vs. 72.96 years, p < 0.001). In a generalized linear model with a beta coefficient (β), an increase in HRQoL was associated with higher HRV levels was observed only in CIG (CIG: the standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN) (ln, ms): β = 0.02, p = 0.007; Total power spectral density (TP) (ln, ms2): β = 0.01, p = 0.007; High frequency (HF) (ln, ms2): β = 0.01, p = 0.015; Low frequency (LF) (ln, ms2): β = 0.01, p = 0.003) (NCG: SDNN (ln, ms): β = 0.01, p = 0.214; TP (ln, ms2): β = 0.01, p = 0.144; HF (ln, ms2): β = 0.00, p = 0.249; LF (ln, ms2): β = 0.01, p = 0.294).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a significant association between HRQoL and HRV in Korean elders with cognitive impairment. However, this study is cross-sectional, so we cannot define direct causation. Further studies are needed to support our findings and to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying these associations, especially in people cognitively impaired.

From Data to Diagnosis: How Machine Learning Is Changing Heart Health Monitoring

The rapid advances in science and technology in the field of artificial neural networks have led to noticeable interest in the application of this technology in medicine. Given the need to develop medical sensors that monitor vital signs to meet both people's needs in real life and in clinical research, the use of computer-based techniques should be considered. This paper describes the latest progress in heart rate sensors empowered by machine learning methods. The paper is based on a review of the literature and patents from recent years, and is reported according to the PRISMA 2020 statement. The most important challenges and prospects in this field are presented. Key applications of machine learning are discussed in medical sensors used for medical diagnostics in the area of data collection, processing, and interpretation of results. Although current solutions are not yet able to operate independently, especially in the diagnostic context, it is likely that medical sensors will be further developed using advanced artificial intelligence methods.

Validity and Reliability of Short-Term Heart Rate Variability Parameters in Older People in Response to Physical Exercise

BACKGROUND

Currently, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no standardized protocol to measure the effect of low- to moderate-intensity physical exercise on autonomic modulation focused in older people.

AIM

Validate a test-retest short-term exercise protocol for measuring the autonomic response through HRV in older people.

METHODS

A test-retest study design was used. The participants were selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling. A total of 105 older people (male: 21.9%; female: 78.1%) were recruited from a local community. The assessment protocol evaluated HRV before and immediately after the 2-min step test. It was performed twice on the same day, considering a time of three chronological hours between the two measurements.

RESULTS

The posterior distribution of estimated responses in the Bayesian framework suggests moderate to strong evidence favoring a null effect between measurements. In addition, there was moderate to robust agreement between heart rate variability (HRV) indices and assessments, except for low frequency and very low frequency, which showed weak agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide moderate to strong evidence for using HRV to measure cardiac autonomic response to moderate exercise, suggesting that it is sufficiently reliable to show similar results to those shown in this test-retest protocol.

Association of abnormal electrocardiograph metrics with prolonged recovery time in incident hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Patients receiving intermittent hemodialysis have variable times of recovery to feeling better after dialysis. QT prolongation, a precursor to clinical and subclinical cardiovascular events, may contribute to delayed recovery time. We hypothesized that abnormal electrocardiographic parameters indicating perturbations in ventricular action are associated with longer recovery times thus impacting a patient-centered quality of life.

METHODS

Among 242 incident in-center hemodialysis participants from the Predictors of Arrhythmic and Cardiovascular Risk in End Stage Renal Disease (PACE) study, corrected QT interval (QTc), QRST angle and heart rate variance were measured on non-dialysis days using a standard 5-min electrocardiograph recording. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was defined using the Cornell voltage product. Recovery time was ascertained during a phone interview with a standardized validated questionnaire. Associations between QTc, QRST angle, heart rate variance, and LVH and natural log-transformed recovery time were examined using linear regression adjusted for participant characteristics and electrolytes.

RESULTS

Mean age was 55 (standard deviation 13) years, 55% were male, 72% were African American. Longer QTc interval was associated with increased recovery time (per 10 ms increase in QTc, recovery time increased by 6.2%; 95% confidence interval: 0.0-10.5). QRST angle, heart rate, heart rate variability and LVH were not significantly associated with recovery time.

CONCLUSION

Longer QTc intervals are associated with longer recovery time independent of serum electrolytes. This supports a relationship between a patient's underlying arrhythmic status and time to recovery after hemodialysis. Future studies will determine if maneuvers to reduce QTc improves recovery time and quality of life of patients on hemodialysis.

Health-related quality of life and incident cardiovascular disease events in community-dwelling older people: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been shown to predict a higher risk of hospital readmission and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Few studies have explored the associations between HRQoL and incident CVD. We explored the associations between baseline HRQoL and incident and fatal CVD in community-dwelling older people in Australia and the United States.

METHODS

Longitudinal study using ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial data. This includes 19,106 individuals aged 65-98 years, initially free of CVD, dementia, or disability, and followed between March 2010 and June 2017. The physical (PCS) and mental component scores (MCS) of HRQoL were assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire. Incident major adverse CVD events included fatal CVD (death due to atherothrombotic CVD), hospitalizations for heart failure, myocardial infarction or stroke. Analyses were performed using Cox proportional-hazard regression.

RESULTS

Over a median 4.7 follow-up years, there were 922 incident CVD events, 203 fatal CVD events, 171 hospitalizations for heart failure, 355 fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction and 403 fatal or nonfatal strokes. After adjustment for sociodemographic, health-related behaviours and clinical measures, a 10-unit higher PCS, but not MCS, was associated with a 14% lower risk of incident CVD, 28% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure and 15% lower risk of myocardial infarction. Neither PCS nor MCS was associated with fatal CVD events or stroke.

CONCLUSION

Physical HRQoL can be used in combination with clinical data to identify the incident CVD risk among older individuals.

Characteristics of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and association with quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) may affect the clinical course of SLE leading to reduced quality of life. CAN is assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) measures and cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs). In patients with SLE, we aimed to determine the characteristics of CAN and if CAN associates with health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

Patients with SLE and healthy controls (HCs) were CAN tested with 5 min HRV and three CARTs to determine parameters reflecting parasympathetic and mixed sympathetic-parasympathetic function. Subjects were classified as having no, early or definitive CAN by having none, one or more than one abnormal CART, respectively. HRQoL as determined by the Short Form 12 (SF-12) was assessed in SLE.

RESULTS

Of 111 patients with SLE, 92 answered the SF-12 and 54 were matched with 54 HCs for characterisation of CAN. Definitive CAN was present in 24.1% (95% CI 15% to 37%) patients with SLE and 1.9% (95% CI 0.3% to 9.8%) HCs (OR 16.8, 95% CI 2.1 to 133.8, p=0.008). The corresponding prevalences of any CAN were 53.7% (95% CI 41% to 66%) and 22.6% (95% CI 13% to 35%). SLE patients with definitive CAN showed signs of mixed sympathetic-parasympathetic dysfunction, whereas patients without CAN primarily presented with impaired parasympathetic activity. Signs of parasympathetic as well as sympathetic-parasympathetic dysfunction were associated with low physical SF-12 component score (all: β>0.211, p<0.05). The mental SF-12 component score was not associated with any CAN indices.

CONCLUSIONS

CAN was a frequent finding in SLE and associated to self-report on impaired physical HRQoL. Even patients without CAN showed signs of impaired parasympathetic function compared with controls.

The Association Between Heart Rate Variability and Quality of Life in Patients with Functional Somatic Syndrome and Healthy Controls

Functional somatic syndrome (FSS) includes a spectrum of somatic symptoms with insufficient medical explanation. Its underlying pathophysiology is considered to include dysfunctional stress-responsive systems or autonomic dysfunction. Among the autonomic dysfunction readouts, decreased heart rate variability (HRV) has been shown to be characteristic in patients with FSSs. However, its association with quality of life (QOL) has not been clearly examined. We examined the association between short-term resting HRV and QOL in patients with FSS (n = 47) and healthy controls (n = 28). The time domain parameters of HRV were mean heart rate per minute (HR), coefficient of variation of R-R intervals (CvRR) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). The frequency domain parameters of HRV were low-frequency (LF) power and high-frequency (HF) power by power spectrum analysis. The Japanese version of the WHO's QOL scale (WHOQOL-BREF) (WHO/QOL26) was used for the QOL assessment. There was a significant positive association between the RMSSD and HF power of HRV and all the QOL domains in patients with FSSs who had lower QOL scores on average than controls, while there was no association between HRV and any of the QOL domains in the control group. HF power was more dominantly associated with QOL than the other variables in patients with FSS based on the analysis with a multiple linear regression model. The present study elucidated that the HF power of HRV was dominantly associated with QOL in patients with FSSs who had lower QOL than controls. Vagal index of HRV could be a valuable indicator of the pathological condition and a significant predictor of health-related QOL in patients with FSSs.

Breathing-based leg exercises during hemodialysis improve quality of life: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a 12-week breathing-based leg exercises program on quality of life under stabilizing heart rate variability and reducing fatigue in regular hemodialysis patients.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

A 94-bed hemodialysis department at a medical center in northern Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-six patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis were recruited and randomly assigned to the ExBr or control groups.

INTERVENTIONS

The breathing-based leg exercises program comprised abdominal breathing and low-intensity leg exercise, including leg lifts, quadriceps femoris contraction and knee flexion, and lasted for 15 minutes at one time, three times a week for 12 weeks.

MAIN MEASURE

Data was collected by using the World Health Organization quality of life assessment-brief, physiological signal recorder for heart rate variability and hemodialysis-related fatigue scale at baseline and on Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12.

RESULTS

Average (standard deviation) age was 53.70 (10.04) years in the ExBr group and 61.19 (10.19) years in the control group. The linear mixed model with adjusted age, creatinine, heart rate variability and fatigue revealed that the ExBr group had significantly higher quality of life than did the control group (P = 0.01), especially on Week 12 (P = 0.04). Fatigue was significantly correlated with quality of life (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study supported the benefits of the continued breathing-based leg exercises during hemodialysis for at least 12 weeks, which improved the quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease and did not affect the stability of their vital signs.

Exploring Quality of Life, Stress, and Risk Factors Associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome for Female University Students in Taiwan

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common recurrent functional gastrointestinal disorder that impacts on patients physically and mentally. Studies on IBS have focused on adults, yet few studies have examined IBS among female university students. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of IBS for female university students and its related factors. Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 2520 female university students were recruited in southern Taiwan. The structured questionnaires, including the Rome III IBS diagnostic questionnaire, IBS symptom severity scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were used for data collection. A total of 1894 female students complete the questionnaires. The response rate was 75.15%. The results indicated 193 female students with IBS and the prevalence of IBS was 10.1%. IBS female students had higher levels of stress and lower QOL than non-IBS female students. The risk factors for female university students developing IBS were dysmenorrhea, food avoidance, class absenteeism, and the lower physical domain of QOL. It is advised to consider these factors when providing students with counselling and relevant services in the expectation of alleviating their IBS symptoms, reducing the incidence rate of IBS, and further improving their QOL.

Association between physical inactivity and health-related quality of life in adults with coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) provides an accurate measure of the health status of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, few studies have examined the relationship between physical inactivity and HRQoL in CHD survivors. We evaluated this association in a cross-sectional study of 21,936 CHD participants in the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

METHODS

CHD diagnosis, HRQoL and physical activity were self-reported. Physical activity (PA) was categorized (1) based on intensity, into no PA, light to moderate PA and vigorous PA; and (2) based on duration and frequency, into no PA, insufficiently active and active. HRQoL was assessed by the CDC HRQoL questionnaire. Participants with 14+ physical or mental unhealthy days in a 30-day window were grouped into poor physical or mental HRQoL. We estimated the odd ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of poor HRQoL associated with PA after adjusting for age, sex, education, income level, social support, smoking status, ethnicity/race, BMI, chronic conditions, and CHD groups.

RESULTS

Compared with vigorous PA, adults with no PA had higher odds (95% CI) of poor physical HRQoL [1.82 (1.58, 2.10)] and poor mental HRQoL [1.28 (1.05, 1.55)]. When compared with active adults, AOR (95% CI) for adults with no PA were 1.80 (1.55, 2.01) and 1.17 (0.97, 1.42) for poor physical and mental HRQoL, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We found an association between physical inactivity and poor physical and mental HRQoL among CHD survivors. There is a need for longitudinal studies to determine the temporality of this association.

Biomarkers of autonomic regulation for predicting psychological distress and functional recovery following road traffic injuries: protocol for a prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Psychological distress is a prevalent condition often overlooked following a motor vehicle crash (MVC), particularly when injuries are not severe. The aim of this study is to examine whether biomarkers of autonomic regulation alone or in combination with other factors assessed shortly after MVC could predict risk of elevated psychological distress and poor functional recovery in the long term, and clarify links between mental and physical health consequences of traffic injury.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a controlled longitudinal cohort study, with follow-up occurring at 3, 6 and 12 months. Participants include up to 120 mild to moderately injured MVC survivors who consecutively present to the emergency departments of two hospitals in Sydney and who agree to participate, and a group of up to 120 non-MVC controls, recruited with matched demographic characteristics, for comparison. WHO International Classification of Functioning is used as the framework for study assessment. The primary outcomes are the development of psychological distress (depressive mood and anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, driving phobia, adjustment disorder) and biomarkers of autonomic regulation. Secondary outcomes include indicators of physical health (presence of pain/fatigue, physical functioning) and functional recovery (quality of life, return to function, participation) as well as measures of emotional and cognitive functioning. For each outcome, risk will be described by the frequency of occurrence over the 12 months, and pathways determined via latent class mixture growth modelling. Regression models will be used to identify best predictors/biomarkers and to study associations between mental and physical health.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approvals were obtained from the Sydney Local Health District and the research sites Ethics Committees. Study findings will be disseminated to health professionals, related policy makers and the community through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and health forums.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12616001445460.

Association of physical capacity with heart rate variability based on a short-duration measurement of resting pulse rate in older adults with obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity can limit physical capacity and lower physical activity levels in elderly people. Low physical activity levels may be mediated by autonomic dysfunction with decreased heart rate variability (HRV). However, the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and low physical capability remains unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the association of low physical capability with HRV in older adults with obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We recruited 231 old man and 210 old women with a mean (range) age of 65.5 (51-78) and 62.9 (52-76) years, respectively. Physical capability was measured using mobility tasks, including functional reach, single-leg stance (SLS), gait speed (GS), timed up and go, and timed chair rise (TCR), and the scores on these tasks were merged and transformed into a global physical capability score (GPCS). HRV was measured using a 7-min resting pulse-based technique, and the time- and frequency-domain indices of HRV were obtained including standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences at rest (rMSSD), and high-frequency (HF) power. All HRV indices were natural log (ln) transformed for analysis. Participants were divided into high, moderate, and low physical-capability groups according to their physical performance. Multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to test differences in HRV indices among physical-capability groups with participants' characteristics serving as covariates. A stepwise regression model was established to identify the determinants of HRV indices. We used hierarchical regression analysis to identify the association of the GPCS with HRV indices.

RESULTS

In both men and women, the low physical-capability group exhibited significantly increased heart rate (P <0.05) and decreased HRV in terms of a decreased ln[SDNN] (P <0.001), ln[rMSSD] (P <0.05) and ln[HF] (P <0.05), compared with the high physical-capability group. GS positively predicted ln[SDNN], whereas SLS, GS, and TCR were determinants of ln[HF], regardless of gender. The GPCS in older men and women independently accounted for 29.9% (P <0.001) and 23.7% (P <0.001), respectively, in variance in ln[SDNN].

CONCLUSIONS

A low physical-capability level is an independent determinant of decreased HRV in older adults with obesity.