G. V. Hariprasad1, B. S. Chandrakala2
BACKGROUND
Sleep deprivation has become a major concern in the modern era. It is found to have an inverse relation with obesity increasing cardiovascular diseases. This study was done to correlate effects of sleep deprivation & obesity with QT interval.
OBJECTIVES
1. To assess sleep deprivation in medical students.
2. To measure QT interval and QTc in obese and normal weight medical students.
3. To correlate these QT interval and QTc values with sleep deprivation and obesity.
METHODOLOGY
In this cross sectional study by simple random sampling 30 obese and 30 normal weight individuals were selected based on Quetelet Index. They were further sub- grouped into Group A with 2-4 hrs., Group B with 4-6 hrs. and Group C with 6-8 hrs. of sleep duration, respectively. Electrocardiography was recorded and QT & QTc was measured. The mean and standard deviations were calculated and by 2 tailed t-test for equality of means, significance was established.
RESULTS
The QT interval measured in Group A has a mean 363±25.1 in normal weight whereas 374±31.6 in obese which is increased. In all groups QTc interval was within normal limits though more in obese individuals. But in group A obese 431±31.6 which shows borderline QTc prolongation (≥430-451ms in men). Thus severe sleep deprivation contributes to obesity and prolongs QTc interval to pathologically.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study concludes that sleep deprivation has significant correlation with QTc interval. Mild to moderate sleep deprivation affects obese more than normal weight & Severe sleep deprivation with obesity may lead to borderline QTc prolongation.
