Relationship between Obesity and Sympathetic Nerve Function Status

Abstract

In order to assess the effect of obesity on sympathetic nervous system a cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College between January 2017 and December 2017. Fifty obese and age-sex matched 50 non-obese subjects were included. Two non-invasive cardiovascular sympathetic function tests like blood pressure response to postural change (orthostatic test) and blood pressure response to sustained handgrip were done to assess sympathetic nerve function status.The fall in systolic blood pressure (SBP) in orthostatic test of obese group (9.02 ± 2.29 mmHg) was significantly higher compared to non-obese group (4.84 ± 0.96) (p<0.001). Increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in handgrip test of obese group (12.36 ± 2.78 mmHg) was significantly lesser than that of non-obese group (20.12 ± 2.64 mmHg) (p<0.001). The results of this study suggested that obese adults have reduced sympathetic activity.