[Evaluation of sweating function, changes in heart function and postural blood pressure in patients with multiple...

The aim of the study was electrophysiologic assessment of sudomotor function and some aspects of cardiovascular system function in patients with multiple sclerosis and an attempt of referring assessed variables to duration of the disease and EDSS score. The study included 24 patients with clinically definite, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and 22 healthy, age-matched controls. Autonomic functions were evaluated by means of clinical examination, heart rate variability tests, measures of blood pressure in supine and standing position and skin sympathetic response examination. Clinical symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis were scarce. Electrophysiologic tests showed no abnormalities in heart rate variability and blood pressure response to standing in studied group. The majority of patients presented with subclinical dysfunction of sudomotor system, indicated by an abnormal sympathetic skin response, which did not correlate with duration of the disease or EDSS score. Sympathetic skin response examination proved to be a sensitive indicator of autonomic disturbances in patients with multiple sclerosis.