AUTONOMIC NEUROPATHY IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS - CARDIOVASCULARAUTONOMIC FUNCTION ASSESSMENT

Aim-To assess the prevalence and the nature of autonomic neuropathy (A N) in 17 patients with inactive or mild active systemic lupus erythema tosus (SLE). Methods-Patients were tested using questionnaires related to possible AN symptoms, and four non invasive cardiovascular autonom ic function tests at rest, during lying to standing, and sustained han dgrip. Eleven age matched normal subjects were also enrolled as a cont rol group. Results-At least one abnormal cardiovascular autonomic func tion test was observed in 15 of the 17 patients. The two groups did no t differ in deep-breathing (parasympathetic, PS) and handgrip tests (s ympathetic, S) although responses in patients with SLE tended towards abnormal values. Statistical differences were found in standing-heart rate ratio (R-R ratio) (PS) with a lower ratio in the group with SLE ( p < 0.01) and in standing blood pressure with a higher decrease in sys tolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) in patients with SLE. No correlation w as found between AN, age, disease duration and presence of Raynaud's p henomenon. Conclusion-In inactive or mild active SLE, AN could represe nt residual abnormalities of autonomic nervous system involvement and/ or could be related to glucocorticoids.