[Autonomic neuropathies--diagnosis and evidence based treatment]

Abstract

Among the few well-established techniques to diagnose autonomic dysfunction are head-up-tilt table testing, heart rate variability measurement and axon-reflex based sudomotor testing. Recent research focused on the development of novel techniques to assess autonomic function based on axon-reflex testing in both vasomotor and pilomotor nerve fibers. However, these techniques are clinically not widely used due to technical limitations and the lack of data on their utility to detect autonomic dysfunction in patients with neuropathy. The treatment of autonomic neuropathies should focus on the management of the underlying disease. In addition, symptomatic treatment of autonomic dysfunction should be provided in an individual patient-centered multimodal regimen that may incorporate both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies. The use of medication in autonomic dysfunction requires a careful risk-benefit assessment and should be individually adjusted based on both therapeutic success and occurrence of adverse effects.