A Hospital Based Prospective Study to Evaluate the Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Activity in Obese Patients and Compare to Age Matched Control Subjects

Abstract

Background: Human beings have an Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) which is a system of automatic control of the body's senses and controls that perform all the backward functions that keep the body working. The present study is designed to evaluate low parasympathetic and sensitivity function in obese patients and compare age-related control subjects.Materials & Methods: A hospital based prospective study conducted in 100 subjects in department of physiology, LLRM Medical College, Meerut, U.P. Sixty obese subjects of both genders between age group 18-25 years with BMI >25 kg/m2 were selected for the study. The results were compared with sixty age-matched non-obese controls with BMI <25 kg/m2. The parasympathetic and sympathetic activity was done by various tests. The quantitative data was expressed as Mean ± S.D. and the student’s paired ‘t’ test was used to compare the differences between the respective means.Results: The present study showed that mean age of obese patients was 34.28±6.23 yrs and 33.52±5.37 yrs in control group. The mean value of BMI was 29.67±2.12 kg/m2 in group I and 21.45±1.66 kg/m2 in group II. The significant decrease in the Heart rate response to standing (30:15 ratio), Valsalva ratio, S:L ratio & Heart rate response to deep breathing (HRDB) in Group I individuals as compared to Group II (p<0.05). The significant decrease in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in obese subjects (group I) as compared to controls (group II) during the application of isometric handgrip exercise and cold pressor tests (p<0.05).Conclusion: Obesity is associated with dysfunction of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system which can lead to various heart problems. Weight loss and healthy living are recommended in the articles to prevent future problems.