Abstract
Disturbed autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in schizophrenia might contribute to increased cardiovascular mortality. We obtained heart rate variability indices from 40 unmedicated schizophrenic patients and 58 matched controls. Mainly we found that patients displaying stronger psychotic symptoms as assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale exhibit more severe cardiac ANS disturbances compared with controls.
MeSH terms
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Acute Disease
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Adult
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Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
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Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced
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Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
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Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
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Female
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Heart / physiology*
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Heart Rate / drug effects
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Humans
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Male
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Nerve Net / physiopathology*
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Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
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Psychotic Disorders / epidemiology
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Psychotic Disorders / physiopathology*
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Schizophrenia, Paranoid / drug therapy
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Schizophrenia, Paranoid / epidemiology
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Schizophrenia, Paranoid / physiopathology*
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Vagus Nerve / physiology*