Effects of antidepressant treatment on heart rate variability in major depression: A quantitative review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The literature measuring effects of antidepressant and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for major depression on heart rate variability (HRV) in medically well individuals was reviewed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fourteen studies evaluating HRV were included. Twenty three pre-post or within group comparisons were available. Treatment impact on measures of HRV was pooled over studies. We examined different classes of antidepressants, and for short and long electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings separately.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were associated with declines in most measures of HRV and significant increase in heart rate (HR) in studies with short recording intervals. No significant changes were found for longer recording times.</p> <p>Treatment effects with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were more variable. Short-recording studies revealed a significant decrease in HR and an increase in one HRV measure. In two 24-hour recording studies no significant changes were observed. No relationship between ECT and HRV has been established in the literature. The effects of other drugs are reported.</p> <p>Limitations</p> <p>Few studies measure the effects of treatment of depression on HRV. Existing studies have generally used very small samples, employing a variety of measurements and methodologies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We confirm that TCAs are associated with a large decrease in HRV and increase HR. However, data for SSRIs is not clear. Although the effect of SSRIs on HRV is weaker than for TCAs, evidence shows that SSRIs are associated with a small decrease in HR, and an increase in one measure of HRV. The use of TCAs in depression leads to changes in HRV that are associated with increased risk of mortality.</p

Supplementary Material for: Chronic Urticaria in Returning Travellers: The Role of Anthelmintic Treatment

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Chronic urticaria often poses a therapeutic challenge. The human immune response to helminths has a high degree of similarity to an allergic response in terms of skin manifestations, eosinophilia, and IgE elevation. Unfortunately, it is often complicated to diagnose such infections. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We sought to assess the effect of empirical anthelmintic treatment among returning travellers diagnosed with chronic urticaria, without clear proof of helminthic infection. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a retrospective case series of 19 returning travellers with chronic urticaria. All patients were treated with anthelmintic treatment given based on clinical suspicion only. A randomly selected control group of 20 patients with chronic urticaria, with no history of travel, was also enrolled. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A positive clinical response was reported in 68.4% (13 patients) of the travellers' group within 3 months after treatment with anthelmintic therapy compared with 10% (2 patients) of chronic urticaria patients in the control group. No adverse effects from treatment were recorded. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In patients with chronic urticaria, travel history to developing countries must be obtained. Empiric anthelmintic therapy might be beneficial, even in the absence of findings suggestive of helminthic infection