Linear and non-linear HRV analysis as methods of cardiovascular risk evaluation in psoriatic and overweight subjects

The analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) has been used as a tool to evaluate the presence of the cardiovascular risks. As described in several studies the psoriasis and cardiovascular risk are strictly related. In our previous study we used the HRV variability for to demonstrate the increase of the cardiovascular risk in the moderate psoriasis. Present study has been designed to test whether it is possible to evaluate this increase of the cardiovascular risk by means new methods of analysis of the HRV in young subjects without conventional cardiovascular risk factors in various normal and pathophysiological conditions (Psoriasis, Overweigth, Psoriasis plus Overweigth). The analysis of heart rate variability was performed with both the classical linear methods (timeand frequency-domain analysis) and with the non-linear methods (Poincaré plot, Detrended Fluctuation Analysis and entropy analysis). Materials and Methods. 26 normal-weight and 11 overweight patients affected by moderate psoriasis were enrolled and each group was compared to a control group of 27 normal-weight and 12 overweigth subjects respectively. Results. Our data indicate that also with non-linear HRV analysis methods it is possible to observe in moderate psoriasis a balanced reduction of the parasympathetic heart modulation associated with an increased sympathetic modulation of sinus node. Our data indicate also that there are no statistically significant differences in HRV analysis (both linear and non linear methods) comparing overweight psoriatic and nonpsoriatic subjects. The non-linear analysis methods are a new easy possibility of to evaluate neurovegetative assessment and, because the increase in sympathetic activity may be associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk, we can conclude that moderate psoriasis might represent a possible independent cardiovascular risk as the overweigth evaluated also with these new methods. Key-Words: Heart rate variability, Linear methods, Non-linear methods, Cardiovascular Risk, Psoriasis, Overweigth