Autonomic neuropathy in diabetes mellitus: a follow-up study.
To evaluate the development of autonomic neuropathy, 23 patients with a moderate (group A) and 18 patients with a long (group B) duration of diabetes and without symptoms of autonomic neuropathy were re-investigated 6 yr after the initial studies. Autonomic nerve function was evaluated from heart reactions to deep breathing (E/I ratio) and to a rapid 90 degrees tilt (acceleration and brake indices). Symptoms of autonomic neuropathy (SAN) developed in 18 patients (nine in each group) who showed a low mean E/I ratio and brake index in both studies. In group A, but not in group B, patients with SAN showed a decrease in the acceleration index and most SAN patients (8/9) in group A had an abnormal acceleration index in the follow-up study. We conclude that in both groups SAN developed rapidly and was preceded by decreases in E/I ratio and brake index.
D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012119:Respiration