Cross-Sectional Study Evaluating Role of Autonomic Nervous System Functional Diagnostics in Differentiating Post-Infectious Syndromes,2025,Milovanovic

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/2/356


Cross-Sectional Study Evaluating the Role of Autonomic Nervous System Functional Diagnostics in Differentiating Post-Infectious Syndromes: Post-COVID Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Lyme Disease
by
Branislav Milovanovic
1,2,
Nikola Markovic
1,
Masa Petrovic
1,*,
Vasko Zugic
1,
Milijana Ostojic
1 and
Milovan Bojic
1


1
Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases “Dedinje”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
2
Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biomedicines 2025, 13(2), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13020356
Submission received: 30 November 2024 / Revised: 26 January 2025 / Accepted: 31 January 2025 / Published: 4 February 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Long COVID: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Treatment)


Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Post-infectious syndromes, including Post-COVID syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and late-stage Lyme disease, are associated with overlapping clinical features and autonomic dysfunction. Despite shared symptoms such as fatigue and orthostatic intolerance, the underlying pathophysiology and specific patterns of autonomic dysfunction may differ. This study aimed to evaluate and compare autonomic nervous system function in these syndromes using multiple diagnostic modalities to identify unique characteristics and improve differentiation between these conditions.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 758 patients, which were divided into four groups: Post-COVID syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome following Post-COVID syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome unrelated to COVID-19, and late-stage Lyme disease. Autonomic nervous system function was assessed using cardiovascular reflex tests, the Head-Up Tilt Test, beat-to-beat analysis, five-minute electrocardiogram recordings, 24 h Holter electrocardiogram monitoring, and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Statistical analyses compared parameters across the groups, focusing on patterns of sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction.

Results:

The patients with Lyme disease showed distinct autonomic patterns, including a higher prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (53.4%) and changes in heart rate variability during the Head-Up Tilt Test suggestive of adrenergic failure. Compared to the other groups, patients with Lyme disease exhibited reduced baroreceptor sensitivity and diminished changes in frequency domain heart rate variability parameters during orthostatic stress. Parasympathetic dysfunction was less prevalent in the Lyme disease group, while the Post-COVID syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome groups showed more pronounced autonomic imbalances.

Conclusions:

The patients with Post-COVID syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and late-stage Lyme disease exhibited varying degrees and types of autonomic dysfunction. Late-stage Lyme disease is characterized by adrenergic failure and distinct hemodynamic responses, differentiating it from other syndromes. The functional assessment of autonomic nervous system function could aid in understanding and managing these conditions, offering insights for targeted therapeutic interventions.

Keywords:
post-infectious syndromes; autonomic nervous system dysfunction; Post-COVID syndrome; chronic fatigue syndrome; neurocardiology