Increased P wave duration in patients with depression or anxiety disorder

BACKGROUND： Activation of the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in regulating cardiovascular actions. P wave parameters can provide general information on central cardiovascular autonomic regulatory responses, which are altered in patients with anxiety disorders and depression. In particular, there are no reports addressing changes in P wave duration and dispersion. OBJECTIVE： To compare the differences in P wave duration and P wave dispersion between patients with anxiety disorders and depression, because patients with anxiety disorders and depression develop abnormal electrocardiograms. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A non-randomized concurrent controlled study was performed. Patients with depression and general anxiety disorders were admitted at the psychiatry outpatient clinics of the Medical Faculty of Duezce University of Turkey between May 2005 and October 2006. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 71 consecutive patients with depression and anxiety disorders, as well as 50 physically and mentally healthy age- and gender-matched controls were selected. METHODS： Electrocardiogram records were obtained at the time of admission to the outpatient clinics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： P wave duration and P wave dispersion were measured. RESULTS： Both the maximum （Prnax） and minimum （Pmin） P wave duration were greater in patients with psychiatric disorders than in healthy controls. Pmax was significantly greater in patients with depression or anxiety disorders （Bonferroni test, P 〈 0.017）. The P wave dispersion was similar between patients and controls （P 〉 0.017）. P waves were similar between panic patients and other anxiety patients. Beck depression results were positively correlated with Prawn and Prnax （r= 0.374, 0.302, P = 0.013, 0.049, respectively）, and not associated with P wave dispersion （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Psychiatric disorders are associated with increases in Prnax, but not with P wave dispersion. The P wave changes were associated with the degree of depression.

P波时限、P波离散度对特发性心房颤动的预测价值初探(英文)

Objective:To assess the sensitivity and the specifity of predicting idiopathic AF with P wave duration and P wave dispersion. Methods:The maximum P wave duration and P wave dispersion in 36 patients with idiopathic AF were measured and compared with those of sex - and age - matched healthy subjects. Results:The maximum P wave duration and P wave dispersion were higher in patients with idiopathic Af than in control group. The maximum P wave duration ＞ 110ms or P wave dispersion ＞40ms was used to differentiate patients from healthy subjects, the sensitivity and the specifity value were 88% vs 82% and 75 % vs 86%, respectively. When the above two parameters were integrated, the sensitivity was 76 %, the specifity 88 %. Conclusion: The maximum P.wave duration and P wave dispersion are simple and practical ECG indexes for idiopathic AF patients.