Musculoskeletal pains and cardiovascular autonomic function in the general Northern Finnish population.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) measurements provide means for the objective assessment of cardiovascular autonomic function. As previous studies have associated chronic pain with abnormal autonomic function, we aimed to characterize the relationship between the number of musculoskeletal pain sites (NPS), pain intensity, and cardiovascular autonomic function among the population-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.

Methods

At the age of 46, cohort members self-reported their musculoskeletal pains (enabling the determination of NPS [0-8] and pain intensity [Numerical Rating Scale, NRS, 0-10]) and underwent clinical assessments of cardiovascular autonomic function in seated and standing positions (HRV variables: heart rate [HR] and

SUBMITTER: Oura P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6357438 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature