Disorders of psychological characteristics, sleep and heart rate variability in people of different ages with the metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Summary. In recent years, many articles have appeared that indicate the relationship between sleep duration and the development of metabolic syndrome. Sleep disorders are mandatory features of depression, which can be accompanied by disturbances in the regulatory effects of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) on cardiac activity. The aim of the study – to reveal the peculiarities of psychological personality traits, sleep and heart rate variability in people of different ages with metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods. Two groups of people were examined: 18–21 years old (group 1) and 60–74 years old (group 2). Group 1 included 12 men and 14 women, overweight, with a waist circumference larger than normal, elevated blood pressure, and a fasting blood glucose level more than 5.6 mmol/l. This group of people did not take drugs for the correction of metabolic syndrome. Group 2 included 16 men and 22 women who had confirmed metabolic syndrome and were receiving appropriate medical treatment. All were interviewed using the FPI Multivariate Personality Questionnaire, Form B, cardiointervalometry, and a sleep questionnaire. Results. Peculiarities of psychological personality traits, duration and quality of sleep, regulatory mechanisms of cardiac activity on the part of the ANS have been established. Conclusions. According to the results of the FPI questionnaire, form B, it was established that, compared to women, young men have lower neuroticism and depression, greater spontaneous and reactive aggressiveness, poise, extroversion, and masculinity. In mature men, compared to women, less neuroticism, depression, greater spontaneous aggressiveness, poise, extroversion were found. Men of group 2, compared to group 1, have greater neuroticism, depression, and shyness. In women of group 2, compared to group 1, depression, irritability, shyness, and introversion prevail. In two groups of examinees, the duration of sleep is less than six hours: in young people due to wakefulness in the evening and night hours, and in mature people – due to morning hours. According to the results of the spectral analysis of the heart rhythm, it was established that the men of group 1 have an adequate response of the heart rhythm regulation of the ANS, and the ANS of group 2 has an insufficient response from the sympathetic part of the ANS, and the women of groups 1 and 2 have a hyperreactive reaction. In women of groups 1 and 2, compared to men, the regulatory effects of ANS are greater

Keywords

• metabolic syndrome
• sleep
• psychological personality traits
• arterial pressure
• heart rate variability