Gastrointestinal symptom burden in diabetic autonomic and peripheral neuropathy - A Danes cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated associations between gastrointestinal symptoms - evaluated as a combined weighted symptom score (CWSS) - Diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN), and distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a tertiary outpatient clinic. CWSS was calculated based on questionnaires: gastroparesis composite symptom index (GCSI) and gastrointestinal symptom rating score (GSRS). DAN and DSPN were addressed using the composite autonomic symptom score 31 (COMPASS-31) questionnaire, cardiac autonomic reflex tests (CARTs), electrochemical skin conductance (ESC), vibration perception threshold (VPT), Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), pain- and thermal sensation. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration, smoking, LDL-cholesterol, HbA1C and systolic blood pressure. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes were evaluated separately. RESULTS: We included 566 with type 1 diabetes and 377 with type 2 diabetes. Mean ± SD age was 58 ± 15 years and 565 (59.9 %) were women. A high CWSS was present in 143 (25 %) with type 1 and 142 (38 %) with type 2 diabetes. The odds of DAN by COMPASS-31 (p < 0.001) were higher in the high score group. For type 1 diabetes, odds of cardiac autonomic neuropathy were higher in the high CWSS group. The odds of DSPN by VPT and MNSI in type 1 diabetes, and by ESC, VPT and pain sensation in type 2 diabetes were higher in the high CWSS group. CONCLUSIONS: A high symptom score was associated with neuropathy by COMPASS-31 and vibration perception. Gastrointestinal symptom burden associated inconsistently with other neuropathy tests between diabetes types.

Baseline prevalence and longitudinal assessment of autonomic dysfunction in early Parkinson's disease.

Autonomic dysfunction (AutD) is common and debilitating in Parkinson's disease (PD). Predictors of AutD are unclear, and data are limited on the biological relevance of AutD in PD. Here, we evaluated the baseline prevalence and 2-year longitudinal assessment of AutD in patients with de novo PD compared with healthy controls (HC). Moreover, we also assessed various variables that could predict longitudinal changes in AutD in early PD. Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) was utilized to evaluate untreated PD participants at baseline and HC. Autonomic function was assessed using the 25-item Scale for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Autonomic (SCOPA-AUT) score at baseline and 2 years. Clinical and biological variables were measured for their correlations with AuD for up to 2 years. Two hundred and ninety PD subjects and 170 HC were enrolled and followed for 2 years. SCOPA-AUT mean (SD) scores increased from baseline 8.49 ± 5.23 to 10.12 ± 5.77 at year 2 in PD subjects (p < 0.001) versus from 4.98 ± 3.34 to 5.03 ± 374 in HC (p = 0.496), with a significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001). Among them, 242 PD participants and 151 HC completed the SCOPA-AUT assessment, including sexual function. In the multivariate analysis, a higher baseline SCOPA-AUT score was associated with higher baseline MDS-UPDRS Part I scores (p < 0.001). Moreover, a longitudinal increase in autonomic function severity was associated with the white race (p = 0.010) at baseline. In contrast, there was no association with the CSF biomarkers. MDS-UPDRS Part I score may predict AuD in patients with early PD, which is correlated with nonmotor symptoms and race.

Assessment of comorbid symptoms in pediatric autonomic dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Pediatric patients with autonomic dysfunction and orthostatic intolerance (OI) often present with co-existing symptoms and signs that might or might not directly relate to the autonomic nervous system. Our objective was to identify validated screening instruments to characterize these comorbidities and their impact on youth functioning. METHODS: The Pediatric Assembly of the American Autonomic Society reviewed the current state of practice for identifying symptom comorbidities in youth with OI. The assembly includes physicians, physician-scientists, scientists, advanced practice providers, psychologists, and a statistician with expertise in pediatric disorders of OI. A total of 26 representatives from the various specialties engaged in iterative meetings to: (1) identify and then develop consensus on the symptoms to be assessed, (2) establish committees to review the literature for screening measures by member expertise, and (3) delineate the specific criteria for systematically evaluating the measures and for making measure recommendations by symptom domains. RESULTS: We review the measures evaluated and recommend one measure per system/concern so that assessment results from unrelated clinical centers are comparable. We have created a repository to apprise investigators of validated, vetted assessment tools to enhance comparisons across cohorts of youth with autonomic dysfunction and OI. CONCLUSION: This effort can facilitate collaboration among clinical settings to advance the science and clinical treatment of these youth. This effort is essential to improving management of these vulnerable patients as well as to comparing research findings from different centers.

Longitudinal Assessment of Autonomic Function during the Acute Phase of Spinal Cord Injury: Use of Low-Frequency Blood Pressure Variability as a Quantitative Measure of Autonomic Function.

High-level spinal cord injury (SCI) can disrupt cardiovascular autonomic function. However, the evolution of cardiovascular autonomic function in the acute phase following injury is unknown. We evaluated the timing, severity, progression, and implications of cardiovascular autonomic injury following acute SCI. We tested 63 individuals with acute traumatic SCI (aged 48 ± 2 years) at five time-points: <2 weeks, and 1, 3, 6-12, and >12 months post-injury. Supine beat-to-beat systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and R-R interval (RRI) were recorded and low-frequency variability (LF SAP and LF RRI) determined. Cross-spectral analyses were used to determine baroreflex function (low frequency) and cardiorespiratory interactions (high frequency). Known electrocardiographic (ECG) markers for arrhythmia and self-reported symptoms of cardiovascular dysfunction were determined. Comparisons were made with historical data from individuals with chronic SCI and able-bodied controls. Most individuals had high-level (74%) motor/sensory incomplete (63%) lesions. All participants had decreased LF SAP at <2 weeks (2.22 ± 0.65 mm Hg2). Autonomic injury was defined as high-level SCI with LF SAP <2 mm Hg2. Two distinct groups emerged by 1 month: autonomically complete SCI with sustained low LF SAP (0.76 ± 0.17 mm Hg2) and autonomically incomplete SCI with increased LF SAP (5.46 ± 1.0 mm Hg2, p < 0.05). Autonomically complete injuries did not recover over time. Cardiovascular symptoms were prevalent and worsened with time, especially in those with autonomically complete lesions, and chronic SCI. Baroreflex function and cardiorespiratory interactions were impaired after SCI. Risk of arrhythmia increased immediately after SCI, and remained elevated throughout the acute phase. Acute SCI is associated with severe cardiovascular dysfunction. LF SAP provides a simple, non-invasive, translatable, quantitative assessment of autonomic function, and is most informative 1 month after injury.

Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injury: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts autonomic circuits and impairs synchronistic functioning of the autonomic nervous system, leading to inadequate cardiovascular regulation. Individuals with SCI, particularly at or above the sixth thoracic vertebral level (T6), often have impaired regulation of sympathetic vasoconstriction of the peripheral vasculature and the splanchnic circulation, and diminished control of heart rate and cardiac output. In addition, impaired descending sympathetic control results in changes in circulating levels of plasma catecholamines, which can have a profound effect on cardiovascular function. Although individuals with lesions below T6 often have normal resting blood pressures, there is evidence of increases in resting heart rate and inadequate cardiovascular response to autonomic provocations such as the head-up tilt and cold face tests. This manuscript reviews the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders given the level, duration and severity of SCI, the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, short- and long-term consequences, and empirical evidence supporting management strategies to treat cardiovascular dysfunction following a SCI.

Autonomic symptom burden is an independent contributor to multiple sclerosis related fatigue.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate a possible association between autonomic dysfunction and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: In 70 people with multiple sclerosis early in the disease course (51 females, mean age 33.8 ± 9.1), quantitative sudomotor axon reflex tests, cardiovascular reflex tests (heart rate and blood pressure responses to the Valsalva maneuver and heart rate response to deep breathing), and the tilt table test were performed. Participants completed the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31, the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, as well as the Beck Depression Inventory. Cutoff scores of ≥ 38 or ≥ 45 on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale were used to stratify patients into a fatigued subgroup (N = 17 or N = 9, respectively). RESULTS: We found clear associations between fatigue and scores in subjective tests of the autonomic nervous system: fatigued patients scored significantly worse on Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31, and there was a strong correlation between the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (rs = 0.607, p < 0.001). On the other hand, we found only modest associations between fatigue and scores in objective tests of the autonomic nervous system: there was a clear trend for lower sweating outputs at all measured sites, which reached statistical significance for the distal leg and foot. We found weak correlations between the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and the Valsalva ratio (rs = - 0.306, p = 0.011), as well as between the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex tests of the forearm, proximal, and distal lower leg (rs = - 0.379, p = 0.003; rs = - 0.356, p = 0.005; and rs = - 0.345, p = 0.006, respectively). A multiple regression model showed that the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31, Beck Depression Inventory, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were independent predictors of fatigue (p = 0.005, p = 0.019, and p = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that-even early in the course of the disease-people with multiple sclerosis suffer from objective and subjective impairments of the autonomic nervous system. The results also point to an association between autonomic nervous system impairment and multiple sclerosis related fatigue.

Urological dysfunctions in patients with Parkinson's disease: clues from clinical and non-invasive urological assessment.

BACKGROUND: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction, common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), causes significant morbidity and it is correlated with poor quality of life. To assess frequency of urinary symptoms in patients with PD, without conditions known to interfere with urinary function. METHODS: Non-demented PD patients were consecutively enrolled from the outpatients clinic of our department. Scales investigating motor and non-motor symptoms were carried out. Evaluation of urinary dysfunctions was carried out using the AUTonomic Scale for Outcomes in Parkinson's disease (SCOPA-AUT) questionnaire. Patients underwent noninvasive urological studies (nUS), including uroflowmetry and ultrasound of the urinary tract. RESULTS: Forty-eight (20 women, 42%) out of 187 PD patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Mean SCOPA-AUT score was 14.1 ± 6.9 (urinary symptoms subscore 5.2 ± 3.8). Among those evaluated by the SCOPA-AUT scale, the urinary symptoms were among the most common complaints (93.8%). At nUS mean maximum flow rate (Qmax) was 17.9 ± 9.1 ml/s, and mean postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume was 24.4 ± 44.1 ml. Ultrasound investigation documented prostate hypertrophy in 12 male patients (42.8%). Urinary items of the SCOPA-AUT (SCOPA-U subscore) correlated with measures of disease severity only in female patients. CONCLUSION: Urinary symptoms and abnormal findings in nUS are common in PD. Though nigrostriatal degeneration might be responsible for urinary symptoms also in the early-intermediate stage of the disease, when urinary dysfunction occurs other medical conditions need to be excluded.

Incidence of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity following traumatic brain injury using assessment tools.

INTRODUCTION: A consensus statement proposed a diagnostic framework to systematise the identification of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) using the PSH-Assessment Measure (PSH-AM). METHODS: This retrospective study identified adult patients with a primary diagnosis of traumatic brain injury and a hospital length of stay >14 days. Based on PSH-AM scores, patients were grouped into 'unlikely', 'possible', or 'probable' PSH. For this study, 'possible' and 'probable' PSH patients were collapsed into a single group (PSH+), and resultant data were compared with 'unlikely' diagnoses (PSH-). PSH-AM data were assessed against clinical diagnoses to establish sensitivity and specificity data. RESULTS: Sixty five patients met inclusion criteria, with 45/65 (69%) categorised as either 'possible' or 'probable' PSH on the PSH-AM. Only 16 of these patients were diagnosed by clinicians. The most common symptoms triggering clinical diagnosis were tachycardia, fever and posturing. Increased respiratory rate, blood pressure or the presence of diaphoresis were not used in diagnosing PSH if the PSH-AM was not utilised. Assuming clinical assessment as the current gold standard, the PSH-AM yielded a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 35% when used retrospectively. Patients clinically diagnosed with PSH were discharged 5 days earlier compared to those identified by the PSH-AM. CONCLUSIONS: The recently proposed diagnostic framework may reduce misdiagnosis, length of stay and hospitalisation costs.

Prevalence of autonomic dysfunction in hospitalized patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of data regarding autonomic dysfunction (AD) in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Concern exists regarding inpatient mortality risk in GBS. We sought to identify the prevalence of AD in GBS inpatients. METHODS: We used the Health Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). GBS hospitalizations were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code-357.0. Non-GBS hospitalizations were matched to these cases 4:1 by age and gender. RESULTS: We identified 2,587 GBS patients and a control population of 10,348 patients during 2010-2011. The most common manifestations of AD were: diarrhea/constipation (15.5%), hyponatremia (14.9%), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) (4.8%), bradycardia (4.7%), and urinary retention (3.9%). GBS patients had higher rates of reversible cardiomyopathy, syncope, tachycardia, and Horner syndrome (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: AD most commonly manifests as diarrhea/constipation, SIADH/hyponatremia, and cardiac dysfunction. This report can help increase awareness of AD in GBS and aid in early identification, treatment, and mortality reduction. Muscle Nerve 56: 331-333, 2017.

Assessment of autonomic symptoms in a medically complex, urban patient population.

PURPOSE: Urban, minority communities are disproportionately affected by the chronic diseases associated with autonomic neuropathy; however validated measures of autonomic symptoms have not been studied in these complex populations. We sought to validate the Autonomic Symptom Profile (ASP) in a low income, medically complex, urban patient population. METHODS: Ninety-seven adults were recruited from the outpatient neurology clinic of an academic medical center serving the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Participants completed the ASP, and underwent a comprehensive neurologic examination, and a standardized battery of autonomic function tests (quantitative sweat testing, heart rate response to deep breathing (HRDB), Valsalva maneuver, and tilt table). Burden of chronic disease was summarized using the Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI), and detailed medication history was obtained. RESULTS: The ASP displayed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .88), even among lower literacy participants. In univariate analyses, the ASP was correlated with HRDB (r = -.301, p = .002), a marker of cardiac autonomic neuropathy, with the CCI (r = .37, p < .001), and with use of medications with autonomic effects [t(95) = -2.13, p = .036]. However, in multivariate analysis, only the CCI remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this urban, predominantly minority patient population, the symptoms captured by the ASP were more closely associated with burden of medical disease than with autonomic dysfunction. Due to this lack of specificity, it is essential that results from autonomic questionnaires be interpreted in the context of the neurologic history and exam, burden of co-morbid illness and medications, and most importantly autonomic function tests.

Socioeconomic disadvantage and neural development from infancy through early childhood.

BACKGROUND: Early social experiences are believed to shape neurodevelopment, with potentially lifelong consequences. Yet minimal evidence exists regarding the role of the social environment on children's neural functioning, a core domain of neurodevelopment. METHODS: We analysed data from 36 443 participants in the United States Collaborative Perinatal Project, a socioeconomically diverse pregnancy cohort conducted between 1959 and 1974. Study outcomes included: physician (neurologist or paediatrician)-rated neurological abnormality neonatally and thereafter at 4 months and 1 and 7 years; indicators of neurological hard signs and soft signs; and indicators of autonomic nervous system function. RESULTS: Children born to socioeconomically disadvantaged parents were more likely to exhibit neurological abnormalities at 4 months [odds ratio (OR) = 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06, 1.37], 1 year (OR = 1.35; CI = 1.17, 1.56), and 7 years (OR = 1.67; CI = 1.48, 1.89), and more likely to exhibit neurological hard signs (OR = 1.39; CI = 1.10, 1.76), soft signs (OR = 1.26; CI = 1.09, 1.45) and autonomic nervous system dysfunctions at 7 years. Pregnancy and delivery complications, themselves associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, did not account for the higher risks of neurological abnormalities among disadvantaged children. CONCLUSIONS: Parental socioeconomic disadvantage was, independently from pregnancy and delivery complications, associated with abnormal child neural development during the first 7 years of life. These findings reinforce the importance of the early environment for neurodevelopment generally, and expand knowledge regarding the domains of neurodevelopment affected by environmental conditions. Further work is needed to determine the mechanisms linking socioeconomic disadvantage with children's neural functioning, the timing of such mechanisms and their potential reversibility.

Clinical risk model assessment for cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in the general Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular autonomic (CA) dysfunction in the general Chinese population (instead of focusing on only patients with diabetes) and to develop a clinical risk model for the disease. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We evaluated CA dysfunction prevalence in a dataset based on a population sample consisting of 2,092 individuals. Clinical risk models were derived from exploratory sets using multiple logistic regression analysis. The performance of the clinical risk models was tested in the validation sets. RESULTS: CA dysfunction prevalence was 18.50% in the general Chinese population, while the prevalence was 24.14% in individuals aged ≥60 years. Its prevalence was 31.17, 24.69, and 21.26% in patients with diabetes, and hypertensive, and metabolic syndrome populations, respectively. Finally, we developed clinical risk models involving seven risk factors. The mean area under the receiver-operating curve was 0.758 (95% CI 0.724-0.793) for these models. The mean sensitivity and specificity of the clinical risk models was 75.0 and 66.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: CA dysfunction prevalence was high in the general Chinese population, and its prevalence was more frequent in individuals with diabetes, and hypertensive, and metabolic syndrome. Clinical risk models with a high value for predicting CA dysfunction were developed. CA dysfunction has become a major public health problem in China that requires strategies aimed at the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Assessment of cardiovascular autonomic function in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: The study was conducted to assess the sympathovagal balance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using short-term heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and conventional autonomic function tests (CAFT). METHODS: Thirty-one newly diagnosed patients with PCOS and 30 age-matched controls were recruited. Body mass index (BMI), waist : hip ratio (WHR), cardiovascular parameters such as basal heart rate (BHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and rate-pressure product (RPP), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured in both groups. Cardiovascular autonomic functions assessed were spectral analysis of HRV, heart rate and blood pressure response to standing (30:15 ratio), deep breathing (E:I ratio) and isometric handgrip (ΔDBP(ihg)). RESULTS: The cases had significantly increased BMI, WHR, BHR, SBP, DBP and RPP. Ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power of HRV (LF-HF ratio), the marker of sympathovagal balance was significantly increased in cases compared to controls. Time-domain indices of HRV and E:I ratio were decreased, and 30:15 ratio, ΔDBP(ihg) and FBG were increased in cases. Though there was a significant correlation of LF-HF ratio with BMI, WHR, BHR, RPP and FBG, only BHR and RPP had independent contribution to LF-HF ratio. CONCLUSION: We conclude that PCOS patients have altered autonomic modulation in the form of increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic reactivity and HRV. The sympathovagal imbalance exposes them to cardiovascular morbidities.

Autonomic symptoms are common and are associated with overall symptom burden and disease activity in primary Sjogren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of autonomic dysfunction (dysautonomia) among patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) and the relationships between dysautonomia and other clinical features of PSS. METHODS: Multicentre, prospective, cross-sectional study of a UK cohort of 317 patients with clinically well-characterised PSS. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction were assessed using a validated instrument, the Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale (COMPASS). The data were compared with an age- and sex-matched cohort of 317 community controls. The relationships between symptoms of dysautonomia and various clinical features of PSS were analysed using regression analysis. RESULTS: COMPASS scores were significantly higher in patients with PSS than in age- and sex-matched community controls (median (IQR) 35.5 (20.9-46.0) vs 14.8 (4.4-30.2), p<0.0001). Nearly 55% of patients (vs 20% of community controls, p<0.0001) had a COMPASS score >32.5, a cut-off value indicative of autonomic dysfunction. Furthermore, the COMPASS total score correlated independently with EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (a composite measure of the overall burden of symptoms experienced by patients with PSS) (ß=0.38, p<0.001) and disease activity measured using the EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ß=0.13, p<0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Autonomic symptoms are common among patients with PSS and may contribute to the overall burden of symptoms and link with systemic disease activity.

Quantitation of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Disabling non-motor symptoms (NMS) associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), such as dementia and loss of balance, do not respond well to levodopa therapy and can lead to eventual death in patients with the disease. In 2006, a multidisciplinary group of experts and patient representatives developed an NMS screening questionnaire (NMSQuest) and a unified Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) to address the need for simple identification and comprehensive assessment of NMS in patients with PD. METHODS AND RESULTS: An international pilot study of 96 healthy controls and 123 patients with various stages of treated and untreated PD was conducted to demonstrate that the NMSQuest is a feasible, valid, and accepted tool. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients and caregivers felt that the questionnaire was clear and relevant to their daily lives. Data from 242 PD patients with no dementia were analysed in a pilot study on the clinimetric validation of NMSS. Similar to the NMSQuest study, the NMSS study revealed a significant correlation between progression of PD and increasing NMS burden. These studies suggest that the NMSQuest accurately detects the NMS, and that the NMSS closely correlates with quality of life for PD patients.

[The assessment of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), microalbuminuria and diabetic autonomous neuropathy in children with type 1 diabetes and hypertension]. / Ocena 24-godzinnego monitorowania cisnienia tetniczego, mikroalbuminurii oraz autonomicznej neuropatii cukrzycowej u dzieci z cukrzyca typu 1 i nadcisnieniem tetniczym.

INTRODUCTION: The late complications of diabetes consisted of autonomic neuropathy, nephropathy, which more often coexist with hypertension in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to assess the connections between changes in the autonomous nervous system, 24-hour ABPM and daily albumin excrection in children with hypertension and type 1 diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL: The group consisted of 72 patients with diabetes (diabetes duration time 6.5+/-1.5 years). 34 patients of that group have hypertension. The control group consisted of 30 healthy children matched according to age and sex. RESULTS: In children with hypertension we found significantly often occurrence of microalbuminuria (13/34 i 1/38, p<0.001). In 17 patients from the group with hypertension and 17 patients without hypertension we affirm signs of autonomic neuropathy. The values of heart rate variability (HRV) were significantly decreased in the group with hypertension as compared to the control group. A stepwise multiple regression analysis with hypertension as a dependent variable and diabetes duration time, microalbuminuria, HbA1c level, HRV parameters and a presence of autonomous neuropathy as predictors proved that hypertension is associated with higher HbA1c level (b=0.35), the presence of autonomous neuropathy (b=0.28), and lower HF values (b=0.41) (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus is correlated with the presence of autonomous neuropathy, higher HbA1c level and lowered values of heart rate variability parameters.

Clustering of equine grass sickness cases in the United Kingdom: a study considering the effect of position-dependent reporting on the space-time K-function.

Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a largely fatal, pasture-associated dysautonomia. Although the aetiology of this disease is unknown, there is increasing evidence that Clostridium botulinum type C plays an important role in this condition. The disease is widespread in the United Kingdom, with the highest incidence believed to occur in Scotland. EGS also shows strong seasonal variation (most cases are reported between April and July). Data from histologically confirmed cases of EGS from England and Wales in 1999 and 2000 were collected from UK veterinary diagnostic centres. The data did not represent a complete census of cases, and the proportion of all cases reported to the centres would have varied in space and, independently, in time. We consider the variable reporting of this condition and the appropriateness of the space-time K-function when exploring the spatial-temporal properties of a 'thinned' point process. We conclude that such position-dependent under-reporting of EGS does not invalidate the Monte Carlo test for space-time interaction, and find strong evidence for space time clustering of EGS cases (P < 0.001). This may be attributed to contagious or other spatially and temporally localized processes such as local climate and/or pasture management practices.

Assessment of autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: the SCOPA-AUT.

We developed a questionnaire to assess autonomic symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and evaluated its reliability and validity. Based on the results of a postal survey in 46 PD patients, 21 multiple system atrophy patients, and 8 movement disorders specialists, items were included according to their frequency, burden, and clinical relevance. The questionnaire was evaluated in 140 PD patients and 100 controls, and test-retest reliability was established in a sample of 55 PD patients. The SCOPA-AUT consists of 25 items assessing the following regions: gastrointestinal (7), urinary (6), cardiovascular (3), thermoregulatory (4), pupillomotor (1), and sexual (2 items for men and 2 items for women) dysfunction. Test-retest reliability was good. Autonomic problems increased significantly with increasing disease severity for all autonomic regions, except sexual dysfunction. We conclude that SCOPA-AUT is a reliable and valid questionnaire that evaluates autonomic dysfunction in PD.

Questionnaire-based assessment of pelvic organ dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.

Although patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience pelvic organ dysfunction of the urinary bladder, bowel and genital organs, an accurate incidence of the dysfunction and its characteristics have yet to be ascertained. We devised a detailed questionnaire on these three pelvic organ functions in PD patients and control subjects, in our search for a hallmark that would distinguish between the two groups. The PD group comprised 115 patients; 52 men and 63 women, age range 35-69 (average 59) years old, average duration of illness 6 years, median Hoehn and Yahr stage 3. All were taking levodopa with/without dopamine agonists. The control group comprised 391 local individuals who were undergoing an annual health survey; 271 men and 120 women, age range 30-69 (average 48) years old. The questionnaire had three parts: bladder (nine questions), bowel (four questions), and sexual (three questions for women, five for men) function. Each question was scored from 0 (none) to 3 (severe) with an additional quality of life (QOL) index scored from 0 (satisfied) to 3 (extremely dissatisfied). The completion rate was 100% for bladder and bowel functions, whereas for sexual function, it was 95% (control) and 88% (PD) for men and 82% (control) and 60% (PD) for women. As compared with the control group, the frequency of dysfunction in the PD group was significantly higher for urinary urgency (women 42%, men 54%), daytime frequency (28%, 16%), nighttime frequency (53%, 63%), urgency incontinence (25%, 28%), retardation (44% of men), prolongation/poor stream (men 70%), straining (women 28%); constipation (63%, 69%), difficulty in expulsion (men 57%), diarrhea (men 21%); decrease in libido (84%, 83%), decrease in sexual intercourse (55%, 88%), decrease in orgasm (men 87%), and in men, decreases in erection (79%) and ejaculation (79%). The QOL index for the PD patients was significantly higher for bladder (27%, 28%) and bowel (46%, 59%) but not for sexual dysfunction, despite the group's high prevalence of sexual dysfunction. In the PD patients, fecal incontinence was associated with urinary incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence and a decrease in libido were more common in women than in men. Bladder and bowel dysfunction, but not sexual dysfunction increased with the Hoehn and Yahr stage. Sexual dysfunction, but neither bladder nor bowel dysfunction, increased with age. Patients taking levodopa and bromocriptine more frequently had bladder (voiding phase) dysfunction than those taking levodopa only. The findings show that bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction are all prominent in patients with PD. Amelioration of pelvic organ dysfunction, particularly bowel dysfunction which most affects the quality of life, therefore should be a primary target in the treatment of patients with PD.