Research

Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Title :	Long-term impact of Kawasaki Disease on endothelial function, autonomic function, and body composition - A multicentric study
Area of research :	Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Principal Investigator :	Dr. Kiran Prakash, Government Medical College And Hospital, Chandigarh
Timeline Start Year :	2024
Timeline End Year :	2026

Details

Executive Summary :

Kawasaki disease (KD) is the commonest vasculitic disorder among the pediatric population. Its incidence has been reported in the children less tahn5 years of age in the range of 60-150 per lakh of their population (1). In children more than 5 years shows lower incidences, but an increasing trend in last few decades, especially in India. Singh et al. reported an increase in the incidence from 0.51 in 1994 to 4.54 cases per lakh children less than 15 years of age (2). Considering the acute state of the disease and risk of long-term complications, adequate screening and assessment of systemic functions at regular intervals are essential (3). The clinical features of KD are secondary to the vascular inflammation of various vascular beds especially of the coronary, conjunctival and renal (4). The vasculitis is triggered in genetically susceptible individuals secondary to some common infectious agents. Commonly affected artery is the coronary arteries in which aneurysms are formed in the subacute phase of the disease. Because of the arterial wall damage and increased chances of thrombosis, the individuals may present later with myocardial ischemia or infarction, or sudden death (5,6). Early assessment of endothelial function will help in identifying the at-risk individuals for the impending cardiac and vascular complications. Assessment of Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is an established, non-invasive and reliable method to assess endothelial function (7). Endothelial microparticles, endocan and endoglin have been reported to be novel biomarkers for the endothelial function. These biomarkers are promising alternative of FMD as they are not operator or evaluator dependent (8). As the KD is associated with systemic inflammation, its effect on autonomic nervous system cannot be ruled out. Very few studies have explored the effect of KD on autonomic functions (9-11). To the best of our knowledge and search we did not find any study where the long-term effect of KD on autonomic functions have been explored. Impaired autonomic functions further predispose the individuals at the increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. Assessment of endothelial function and autonomic function in the patients of KD will indicate about the impending vascular and autonomic dysfunction and can predict the impending cardiovascular and other complication. However, to the best of our knowledge no study has been found where the association of endothelial and autonomic function has been explored along with the component of body composition. Any potential association and its predictive potential for any impending complication will significantly improve the management of patients with KD and tell us about its pathophysiology. Therefore, the present study has been planned to study the long-term impact of KD on endothelial function, autonomic function, and body composition by a multicentric approach.

Co-PI:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Pilania Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research,Madhya Marg, Sector 12,Chandigarh,Chandigarh-160012, Prof. Surjit Singh Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research,Madhya Marg, Sector 12,Chandigarh,Chandigarh-160012, Prof. MANPHOOL SINGHAL Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Education And Research,Madhya Marg, Sector 12,Chandigarh,Chandigarh-160012