A clinical study on patients with Cold Hypersensitivity on hands and feet and their autonomic nervous system function using of Heart Rate Variability(HRV)

수족냉증 환자의 실태 및 HRV(Heart Rate Variability)를 이용한 자율신경계 기능 평가 연구

Objectives : This study was designed to analyze basic data for cold hypersensitivity patients with a questionnaire and investigate correlation between cold hypersensitivity and Heart Rate Variability(HRV). Methods : 49 patients who complain of cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet in ambulatory care were investigated in Oriental Gynecology, Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center and Women medical center, Kangnam Koreana hospital from May 1, 2006 to October 20, 2006. All patients were asked to answer a questionnaire. After careful I examination to rule out other disease which may affect Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging(DITI) and HRV data, patients were taken thermography for the diagnosis of cold hypersensitivity Based on the result of thermography, the patients were divided into two groups(Objective cold hypersensitivity and Subjective cold hypersensitivity). Then, these two groups were compared using HRV data which was measured in the supine position for 5 minutes. Results: 1. For most patients, cold hypersensitivity first developed during puberty. 2. The parts of the body that felt cold first time were hands and feet. 3. The cold sensation was increased in winter or at bedtime Showing that the sensation can be changed according to the level of coldness. 4. Among women who sufferfrom cold hypersensitivity, very few of them were treated. 5. More than half of cold hypersensitivity patients's family member also had a cold hypersensitivity. 6. The decrease in mean values of LF/HF ratio was observed in objective cold hypersensitivity group than subjective cold hypersensitivity group and the decrease was significant(P=0.014) when examined by Student t-test. Conclusions : It is necessary that the cold hypersensitivity patients should be treated carefully considering the facts mentioned above. And it can be suggested that dysautinomia be related with cold hypersensitivity and be evaluated by HRV.