NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Clinical and electrophysiologic attributes as predictors of results of autonomic function testsAutonomic dysfunction is a feature of some neuropathies and not others. It has been suggested that some clinical and electrophysiologic attributes are predictable of autonomic impairment detected using laboratory testing; however, dear guidelines are unavailable. We evaluated 138 relatively unselected patients with peripheral neuropathy who underwent neurologic evaluation, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, and autonomic function tests to determine which variables were predictive of laboratory findings of autonomic failure. The variables evaluated were 1) clinical somatic neuropathic findings, 2) clinical autonomic symptoms, and 3) electrophysiologic findings. Autonomic symptoms were strongly predictive (Rs = 0.40, p < 0.001) of autonomic failure. Among the non-autonomic indices, absent ankle reflexes were mildly predictive (Rs = 0.19, p = 0.022) of autonomic impairment, but all others were not (duration, clinical pattern, severity, weakness, sensory loss). Electrophysiologic changes of an axonal neuropathy predicted autonomic impairment while demyelinating neuropathy did not. We conclude that autonomic studies will most likely be abnormal in patients who have symptoms of autonomic involvement and those who have an axonal neuropathy.
Document ID
20040142126
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wu, C. L.
(Mayo Clinic and Foundation Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United States)
Denq, J. C.
Harper, C. M.
O'Brien, P. C.
Low, P. A.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society
Volume: 8
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0959-9851
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: PO1 NS32352
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Controlled Clinical Trial
Clinical Trial
NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary
Non-NASA Center

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available