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A Meta‐Analysis on the Impact of Alcohol Dependence on Short‐Term Resting‐State Heart Rate Variability: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk
Author(s) -
Quintana Daniel S.,
McGregor Iain S.,
Guastella Adam J.,
Malhi Gin S.,
Kemp Andrew H.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01913.x
Subject(s) - term (time) , resting heart rate , cardiology , medicine , heart rate , heart rate variability , alcohol , blood pressure , chemistry , physics , biochemistry , quantum mechanics
Background Alcohol dependence is associated with an increased likelihood of cardiac events. Reductions in heart rate variability ( HRV ) may be one mechanism linking dependence with these events. HRV may also be related to poor social functioning and the lack of impulse control commonly observed in alcohol‐dependent individuals. However, prior studies on the impact of alcohol dependence on HRV have reported contradictory findings highlighting the need for a meta‐analysis. Methods Studies comparing short‐term HRV in alcohol‐dependent populations and healthy controls who were nondependent were considered for meta‐analysis. Only studies reporting findings from participants without cardiovascular disease were included in the analysis. Results Meta‐analyses were based on 6 articles that fulfilled inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 177 alcohol‐dependent participants and 216 nondependent participants. Alcohol‐dependent participants displayed reduced HRV (Hedges' g = −0.6, p > 0.001) in comparison with nondependent participants. No differences were observed between the summary effect sizes obtained from different HRV domains ( Q = 1.19, p = 0.55). Conclusions Alcohol dependence is associated with reduced HRV , an effect associated with a medium effect size. Findings highlight the importance of monitoring alcohol‐dependent patients for cardiac disease and emphasize the need for cardiovascular risk reduction strategies in these patients.