AUTONOMIC VAGAL NERVE DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

Autonomic nerve function was evaluated in 40 patients with total ulcer ative colitis and in 25 patients with irritable bowel syndrome by thre e established non-invasive tests based on the heart reactions to deep breathing (E/I ratio) and tilt (acceleration and brake index). None of the patients were diabetic. Most of the patients with ulcerative coli tis were clinically and biochemically inactive; 10 had previously unde rgone colectomy. The results were compared with a control group consis ting of 56 healthy individuals and 33 previously investigated patients with Crohn's disease, 45% of whom demonstrated autonomic neuropathy ( AN). Patients with ulcerative colitis had a significantly lower E/I ra tio than controls in age-corrected values. indicating vagal nerve dysf unction. Altogether, 35% had signs of AN. In patients with irritable b owel syndrome 36% had evidence of AN, a figure in agreement with obser vations from other investigators. We conclude that AN is common in pat ients with ulcerative colitis, regardless of disease activity and prev ious colectomy. In contrast to a predominantly sympathetic dysfunction in Crohn's disease, AN in ulcerative colitis was vagal.