Chapter 11 - Clinical Implications

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the clinical implications of circadian rhythms. The existence of these rhythms has applications in diagnosis, the assessment of treatment, and the performance of medical personnel. To a certain extent, there has been recognition of the implications of circadian rhythms in diagnosis for some time. The chapter reviews the potential usefulness of autorhythmometry and outlines the possible application of circadian rhythms to clinical practice. The potential of autorhythmometry in the prediction and diagnosis of illness is one of considerable promise. Such an approach supposes that circadian rhythms are changed in illness. The chapter also discusses whether changed circadian rhythms act as markers for illness, whether the changes seen in these rhythms approach normal as a disorder is treated, and whether adjustment of circadian rhythms can ameliorate symptoms of illness. It reviews the causes of the changed rhythms in illness. The understanding of circadian rhythms is most obvious at the moment when the availability of certain medical services, such as maternity staff, is considered. In diagnosis also, when deviations from the circadian rhythms of healthy controls are considered and when altered circadian rhythms are seen especially in cardiovascular, renal, and endocrine disorders, knowledge of circadian rhythms can play a vital role.