title: Autonomic nervous function in patients with chronic renal failure at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
abstract: Autonomic nervous function was assessed in twenty two patients (16 males and 6 females) with chronic renal failure on conservative management. The presenting symptoms were postural dizziness in 10(45%), impotence in 4(18%) patients and 1 patient each with diplopia, urinary urgency and nocturnal diarrhoea. The following autonomic function tests were performed; valsalva manoeuvre, heart rate response to deep breathing, heart rate response to posture and postural change in blood pressure. Fifteen (68%) patients had abnormal autonomic function tests. Out of these patients, 14(93%) had abnormalities of the parasympathetic system and only one had abnormalities in the sympathetic system. There was a negative correlation between the creatinine levels and the following; valsalva ratio (r = -0.72 p < 0.001), heart rate response to standing (r = -0.56 p < 0.01) and heart rate response to deep breathing (r = -0.45 p < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi.
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Amayo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kayima
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: McLigeyo
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kioy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index