Sympathetic skin response and autonomic dysfunction in diabetes.
Study was conducted on 34 middle aged (35-52 years) diabetics of either sex to compare autonomic function in patients having and not having symptoms of dysautonomia. Fifteen age/sex matched healthy non-diabetic volunteers were control. No symptom of autonomic insufficiency was present in 19 (55.8%) while 15 (43%) diabetics had dysfunction in form of episodic syncope, vertigo, and palpitation, all on postural change. Tests of autonomic functions were restricted to evaluation of salivation, lacrimation, sweating, pilomotor response, reflex erythema and blood pressure changes with valsalva, posture and cold pressor. SSR was elicited using 5 stimuli on programmed Neuropack II and IV model machine. In asymptomatic diabetics, tests of autonomic functions were normal and comparable to controls but SSR was not recordable in 8 (42%). In remaining 11 (58%) asymptomatic diabetics, it was recordable. In 15 subjects who had symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, 6 (40%) had positive test of autonomic function but SSR was normal in only 5 (34%) and not recordable in 10 (66%) subjects. We conclude that SSR can be used as a easy, sensitive and probably early indicator of autonomic functions.
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Department of Neurology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow.
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D000328:Adult; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*