Abstract
Fifteen tests were used to assess adrenergic, non-vagal cholinergic, and cardiovagal functions in 11 patients with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP). The three aims of this study were: 1) to ascertain the presence of and spectrum of autonomic involvement; 2) to assess the level of autonomic dysfunction; and 3) to compare the results of autonomic function tests with gastrointestinal motility patterns. Gastrointestinal motility displayed a neuropathic pattern in 10 patients. Adrenergic functions were abnormal in nine patients and non-vagal cholinergic functions in 10 patients. Cardiovagal functions were abnormal in only seven patients. The autonomic dysfunction was localized mostly to the postganglionic pathways. One patient, who had a myopathic pattern and muscle degeneration on small bowel biopsy, demonstrated normal responses to autonomic function tests. The patients with neuropathic CIP demonstrated widespread, mostly postganglionic autonomic dysfunction. Neuropathic CIP can occur with or without cardiovagal involvement.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 335-340 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Clinical Autonomic Research |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1998 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Autonomic dysfunction
- Cardiovagal function
- Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction
- Gastrointestinal dysmotility
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
- Clinical Neurology