Autonomic dysfunction and the gastrointestinal tract

Autonomic neuropathy of the gastrointestinal tract may represent a primary disorder, but much more often it is secondary due to systemic disorders lik e diabetes mellitus. This review gives an overview about the common clinica l manifestations and the principles and limitations in diagnostic work-up o f autonomic dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnostic evaluatio n usually includes a combination of screening tests for autonomic neuropath y and specialized diagnostic procedures for the detection of sequela of aut onomic neuropathy in gastrointestinal motility.