Fig. 1

HR in healthy controls, early and late OA patients. A The impact of GoD on HR was analyzed via linear regression analysis. The parameters were generated separately, either in a non-adjusted model or a model adjusted for confounders. B HR of healthy controls, early OA patients, and late OA patients. Data are represented as box plot, where the boxes represent the 25th to 75th percentiles, the lines within the boxes represent the median, and the lines outside the boxes represent the 10th and 90th percentiles. Each circle represents an individual patient. C The q–q plot visualizes the distribution of HR in healthy controls, early OA patients and late OA patients. The x axis shows the normal theoretical quantiles. Only individuals with a normal sinus rhythm were considered for the q–q plots. Each circle displays an individual patient. Significant p-values are presented as *p ≤ 0.05. n (healthy) = 40, n (early OA) = 17, n (late OA) = 148. HR heart rate, GoD grade of disease, CI confidence interval, q–q plot quantile–quantile plot