LONGITUDINAL FOLLOW-UP OF CARDIOVASCULAR REFLEX RESTS IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Several studies have shown various degrees of autonomic dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis. Longitudinal follow-up studies are remarkably scarce up to now. We assessed autonomic dysfunction twice w ith an interval of 1 year in 20 relapsing remitting and 26 secondary p rogressive MS-patients. Autonomic function was assessed by the heart r ate response during deep breathing, standing up and Valsalva manoeuvre . Only the maximum change in heart rate after standing up (in ms and b eats/min) and the Max/Min ratio after standing up showed significant w orsening over 1 year. The changes in EDSS scores also documented gradu al deterioration of the neurological condition over the study period. We conclude that there is progression of autonomic dysfunction in MS o ver 1 year and that this could correlate with progression in clinical disability. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.