Walsh & Hoyt: Autoimmune Autonomic Neuropathy

Two forms of primary or idiopathic autonomic neuropathy once were classified by the temporal profile of symptomatic autonomic nervous system dysfunction they produced: (a) subacute autonomic neuropathy (also called acute pandysautonomia), having an acute or subacute onset; and (b) pure autonomic failure, having a gradual onset and slow progression of symptoms. Subsequent studies indicate that these two forms of idiopathic autonomic neuropathy are, in fact, two pathogenetically different diseases. Idiopathic subacute autonomic neuropathy is an immune-mediated disorder that often follows a viral or systemic illness, progresses over several days to weeks, and then tends to improve spontaneously or after treatment with immunomodulatory drugs, whereas pure autonomic failure is an idiopathic, progressive, degenerative disorder. Paraneoplastic autonomic neuropathy. Autoimmune autonomic neuropathy.