Abstract
Objective: To examine the circadian pattern of cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) and its correlates in a population-based sample of adolescents. Methods: We used the data from 400 adolescents who completed the follow up exam in the PSCC study. CAM was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis of beat-to-beat normal R-R intervals from a 24-hour (7:00 PM to 7:00 PM) ECG, on a 30-minute basis (48 segments/person). The HRV indices included frequency domain: [high and low frequency powers (HF, LF), and LF/HF ratio] and time domain: [standard deviation of normal RRs (SDNN), and the square root of the mean squared difference of successive normal RRs (RMSSD), and heart rate (HR)]. We used a cosine periodic model to estimate each participant’s circadian parameters: mean (M), amplitude (Â), and crescent time (θ). We then used mixed-effects models to calculate group level circadian pattern as the overall M, Â of the oscillation, and θ of the highest oscillation. Results: The mean age was 16.9 yrs (SD=2.2), with 54% male and 77% white. The mean BMI percentile is 61, with 16% were obese (BMI percentile ≥ 95). Overall, the parasympathetic modulation gradually increases from late afternoon throughout the evening, and reaches the peak amplitude around 3:00 AM, at which it gradually decrease throughout most of the daytime until late afternoon. The age, sex and race showed varying differences on the CAM circadian parameters. In contrast, obesity in adolescents had adverse effects on all three circadian parameters. Using HF (a reliable index of parasympathetic modulation) as an example, the circadian pattern of the entire sample, and stratified by obesity are shown in Figure 1. Conclusion: Circadian pattern of CAM can be quantified by three cosine parameters (M, Â, and θ). Obesity in adolescents is already associated with a CAM profile indicative of sympathetic overflow and reduced parasympathetic modulation, at all levels of the CAM circadian rhythm.
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