Evaluation of autonomic nervous function in patients with essential hypertension complicated with peptic ulcer

Background and Aims: The relationship between peptic ulcer, autonomic activ ity and the incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in untreated hyperte nsive patients complicated with peptic ulcer were evaluated. Methods: Ten hypertensive patients with peptic ulcer (HT-PU group), 15 untr eated essential hypertensive patients without peptic ulcer (HT group) and 1 0 normal subjects (N group) were enrolled, and a power spectral analysis wa s performed in each subject. A biopsy urease test was used to detect infect ion by H. pylori. Results: No significant differences were observed in the values of mean low -frequency (LF) power between the three groups. However, the mean high-freq uency (HF) power in the HT-PU group was significantly greater than those of the HT and N groups (P < 0.01). The mean LF/HF ratios in the HT-PU and HT groups were significantly greater than that of the N group (P < 0.01). With respect to H. pylori infection, no significant differences between the thr ee groups were observed. Sympathetic activity (LF power) was increased in t he HT and HT-PU groups. Furthermore, parasympathetic activity (HF power) wa s increased in the HT-PU group. Conclusions: These findings suggest the participation of increased parasymp athetic activity in peptic ulcer patients. Therefore, it is suggested that new techniques, such as spectral analysis of heart rate variability, as use d in this study, will clarify the relationship between peptic ulcer and aut onomic nervous function. (C) 2000 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd.