Acute pan-dysautonomia: a rare initial presentation of lupus with sjogren's syndrome

<p>Dry Eye Syndrome and Sicca Complex are Commonly Found in Patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome</p>

Purpose

Patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) present to outpatient dysautonomia clinics endorsing a wide range of symptoms. Dry eyes and mouth, or sicca complex are frequently reported. This retrospective study investigates the incidence and quantifies the severity of dry eye syndrome (DES) in patients with POTS.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study compiles survey results, and dry eye clinical data from twenty-three POTS patients (22 females, average age 34.9 and st dev 14.0 years) surveyed during their initial or follow-up appointments. Patient’s medication lists were documented to account for anticholinergics, antihistamines, and anticholinesterase use. Patients endorsing dry eye symptoms were tested with Schirmer’s test strips to identify clinically dry eyes and stratified for severity.

Results

Sixty-five percent of patients endorsed dry eye symptoms (15/23). Seventy-four percent of patients endorsed dry mouth symptoms (17/23). Among patients endorsing dry eyes, 81% of eyes had decreased tear production with Schirmer’s strip wetting less than 10 mm/5 min (13/16).

Conclusion

DES is an additional and significant disease burden for the POTS patient population. Dry eye and exocrine gland function should be evaluated as part of the dysautonomia work up with referral to ophthalmology as appropriate. Patients with clinically dry eyes who report additional autonomic dysfunction should be further evaluated for widespread autonomic dysfunction.

Acute pan-dysautonomia as well as central nervous system involvement and peripheral neuropathies in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

A 32-year-old woman was diagnosed with leucopenia in 2002, being antinuclear antibody, anti-DNA antibody, and antiphospholipid antibody positive, and she was administered low-dose aspirin. In July 2006, she was admitted to our hospital because of pyrexia and abdominal pain. Examination revealed paralytic ileus, absence of the pupillary light reflex, dyshidrosis and anuresis. In addition, with high-level interleukin-6 in cerebrospinal fluid, the sensory nerve conduction velocity was derivation impotence. She was subsequently diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with central nervous system involvement, peripheral neuropathy as well as acute pan-dysautonomia. After pulse corticosteroid therapy, paralytic ileus was improved, however, the urination disorder persisted, and syncope due to orthostatic hypotension became marked. Plasma exchange and a second course of pulse corticosteroid therapy were performed, and were ineffective, whereas intravenous cyclophosphamide was effective. This patient is a rare case of central nervous system, peripheral neuropathy as well as acute pan-dysautonomia with SLE.