[Clinical Characteristics of Autonomic Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients with Minor Ischemic Stroke.]

OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical characteristics of autonomic dysfunction (AD) in hypertensive patients with minor ischemic stroke (MIS). METHODS: Sixty hypertensive patients with MIS (observation group) and 60 age-matched hypertensive patients (control group) were recruited in our study.The clinical data of the patients were collected.Autonomic symptoms were accessed using the Scale for Outcomes in Parkinson disease-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT).Depression was evaluated with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) .Age,heart beat rate,concomitant diseases,SCOPA-AUT,and HAM-D were analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the control group,the observation group showed an increased incidence of orthostatic hypotension,depression,SCOPA-AUT and HAM-D score.Logistic regression showed HAM-D score>8 [standard partial regression coefficent (ß)=0.142,odds ratio (OR)=3.251,P=0.009] and age>60 yr.(ß=0.180,OR=1.972, P=0.003) were independent risk factors for AD. CONCLUSIONS: AD is common in hypertensive patients with MIS and depression is probably the potential etiology.