Autonomic cardiovascular neuropathy in primary Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract

The case of a 65-year-old female with primary Sjögren's syndrome and severe autonomic cardiovascular neuropathy, manifested by incapacitating postural hypotension, is presented. It is postulated that the patient's Sjögren's syndrome was responsible for the autonomic neuropathy, probably via a vasculitic mechanism. Treatment with hydrocortisone resulted in improvement in the patient's symptoms but it did not significantly alter the objective findings of autonomic dysfunction. We suggest that it is probably worth studying Sjögren's patients for evidence of autonomic neuropathy.