Dysautonomia in human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis.
The frequency and importance of dysautonomia in human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) have not been fully investigated. We describe the characteristics of dysautonomia in such patients in a case-control study. Our results indicate that autonomic disturbances are more frequent in HAM/TSP than has been previously suggested, with a predominance of sympathetic nervous system dysfunction. In some of these patients, the symptoms may be severe enough to warrant specific treatment.
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Reference Centers for Neurological Infections and HTLV, Evandro Chagas Hospital Research Center, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ahalamy@pobox.com.br
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index