Idiopathic Orthostatic Hypotension and other Autonomic Failure Syndromes Follow-up

  • Author: Mohini Gurme, MD; Chief Editor: Selim R Benbadis, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 3, 2012
 

Further Inpatient Care

  • Physical therapy is useful for gait training. Patients also should be instructed in safety precautions.
  • Patients should be monitored closely for drug efficacy and adverse effects. Doses should be adjusted accordingly.
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Prognosis

  • The prognosis for autoimmune autonomic neuropathy (AAN) is poor without treatment, and many patients have residual autonomic symptoms. With IVIg therapy, a few patients who are treated early in the disease course can have excellent recovery of function. However, additional patients must be treated to confirm the initial favorable findings.
  • Patients with pure autonomic failure have symptoms that remain confined to the autonomic nervous system. These patients generally improve little over time, and their symptoms may worsen. Some may later develop multiple system atrophy or Parkinson's disease.
  • The prognosis for patients with multiple system atrophy is poor overall. Neurologic function declines gradually over time. The autonomic symptoms often become debilitating. Survival is typically 6-9 years from the time of diagnosis.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mohini Gurme, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Neurology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Dianna Quan, MD  Associate Professor of Neurology, Director, Electromyography Laboratory, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Dianna Quan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: e-medicine Honoraria Other

Bjorn E Oskarsson, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, University of California Davis

Bjorn E Oskarsson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Christopher Luzzio, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Medicine and Public Health

Christopher Luzzio, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Neil A Busis, MD  Chief, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Head, Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside

Neil A Busis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Selim R Benbadis, MD  Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: UCB Pharma Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Lundbeck Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Cyberonics Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Glaxo Smith Kline Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Sleepmed/DigiTrace Honoraria Speaking, consulting

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Jeffrey Tam Sing, MD to the development and writing of this article.

References

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