Yildiz, Gulce UnalDogan, Ebru ApaydinDogan, UmuttanTokgoz, Osman SerhatOzdemir, KurtulusGenc, Bulent OguzIlhan, Nurhan2020-03-262020-03-2620111525-50501525-5069https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.12.001https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12395/26134Objective: The goal of the study described here was to evaluate interictal heart rate variability (HRV) in young patients with epilepsy, a patient population in whom sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is known to be more common. Methods: Twenty-four-hour ambulatory ECG Holter recordings of 37 patients (15-40 years old) and 32 healthy controls were compared. Results: All of the time domain indices (SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, and HRV triangular index) were significantly suppressed (P < 0.001), and there was a marked reduction in parasympathetic tone (reduced HFnu, P < 0.001) and an increase in sympathetic tone (increased LFnu and LF/HF ratio, P < 0.001) in the patient group. Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that polytherapy and epilepsy duration > 10 years were independent variables associated with a reduction in SDNN. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the major determinants of suppressed SDNN are polytherapy and epilepsy duration > 10 years. Analysis of spectral measures of frequency domain indices suggests that an increased sympathetic tone in association with a decreased parasympathetic tone may constitute the mechanism underlying SUDEP in young people with epilepsy. (C)2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.en10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.12.001info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess24-hour electrocardiogramHeart rate variabilitySudden unexpected death in epilepsyEpilepsyYoung adultsArticle20234935421216204Q2WOS:000287833700032Q2