Autonomic dysfunction O-AD001. Relationship between electrochemical skin conductance and cardiovascular autonomic function in Parkinson's disease. Issue 8 (August 2021) - Huang, Chih-Cheng
Abstract : Introduction . Electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) of the hands and feet can be recorded by SUDOSCAN. Several reports have confirmed that ESC can serve as an indicator of sudomotor function. Some studies done in patients with diabetes mellitus showed that ESC can be a predictor of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. The autonomic pathology in Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily postganglionic. This study tested the hypotheses that ESC measured by SUDOSCAN has high correlation with cardiovascular autonomic function in patients with PD, and can serve as a predictor of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) for such patients. Methods . Sixty-three patients (male/female: 28/35) with PD were recruited. The severity was assessed using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn and Yahr stage. They had ESC measurement of hands and feet by SUDOSCAN, and underwent a standardized evaluation of cardiovascular autonomic function, including heart rate response to deep breathing, Valsalva ratio (VR), baroreflex sensitivity, 5-min head-up tilt test and frequency-domain analysis of heart rate variability. Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale were coded accordingly and these patients were then divided into two groups, with and without CAN. Results . There was weak but significant correlation between hand ESC and UPDRS scores. As for the cardiovascular autonomic parameters, the significant correlation only exited between hand ESC and VR. There was no significant difference of ESC between patients with CAN and without CAN. Conclusion . In spite of the significant correlation between hand ESC and UPDRS scores, the ESC measured by SUDOSCAN may not be good enough in predicting CAN for patients with PD.