[Secondary autonomic diseases--diabetes mellitus]

Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is an established disease entity. Nevertheless, it was not until 1945 that diabetic autonomic neuropathy became a target for extensive systemic research works. This is partly because of insidious progress of this disorder and lack of precise techniques of examinations. In this review article, signs and symptoms of diabetic autonomic disorders characteristic of each visceral organ are described. Among them, such symptoms as painless myocardial infarction and hypoglycemia without warning symptoms deserve special attention. It is essential for clinical doctors to realize that autonomic neuropathy is the most important part for understanding diabetic pathology.