Autonomic dysfunction is a common manifestation in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), but it rarely persists. We report a case involving a 22-year-old man who presented with glove-and-stocking type sensory loss, symmetric weakness, urinary distension, orthostatic hypotension, decreased perspiration, and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. He was subsequently diagnosed as having GBS with autonomic failure that persisted for more than six months, despite regaining muscle strength. Orthostatic hypotension progressively improved after rehabilitation and administration of midodrine and fludrocortisone. Extensive evaluation and management should be performed in patients with GBS because severe autonomic dysfunction is a major source of disability. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2008; 32: 586-590)

Objective
To determine the time period and factors inhibiting recovery of orthostatic hypotension during head up tilt with ischemic stroke patients.Method: Fourty two ischemic stroke patients with orthostatic hypotension were included. Blood pressure and heart rate were taken after resting in the supine position for 10 minutes and again after standing for one minute every week. Age, gender, body mass index, laboratory findings, diabetes mellitus, anti-hypertensive use, side of involved hemisphere and K-MBI were obtained.Results: The numbers of orthostatic hypotension patients were significantly decreased at 3rd week. Non recovering group until 3rd week were older in age and had higher plasma creatinine level. On the other hand, body mass index and K-MBI were lower than the group without orthostatic hypotention. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, body mass index, anti-hypertensive medication were independently associated factors for resistant orthostatic hypotension during head up tilt.Conclusion: For 7 weeks, especially at 3rd week, the numbers of orthostatic hypotension patients significantly decreased. Age, BMI, and antihypertensive medication were inhibitiing factors for recovery of orthostatic hypotension. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2008; 32: 289-293)

Objective
To determine risk factors of orthostatic hypotension in ischemic stroke patients. Method: In 98 ischemic stroke patients, blood pressure and heart rate were measured after resting in the supine position for 10 minutes and again after standing for one minute. Presence of orthostatic hypotension was correlated with age, gender, body mass index, laboratory findings, diabetes mellitus, anti-hypertensive use, side of involved hemisphere, smoking and K-MBI (Korean Modified Barthel Index). Results: 30 out of 98 patients had orthostatic hypotension. Those patients with orthostatic hypotension were older in age and had a higher average blood pressure, heart rate and plasma creatinine. On the other hand, body mass index, K-MBI and serum sodium levels were lower in the orthostatic hypotension group. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, body mass index, anti-hypertensive use and smoking were independently associated with orthostatic hypotension. Conclusion: Old age, low BMI, anti-hypertensive use, smoking were risk factors of orthostatic hypotension in the ischemic stroke patients. Patients in the higher risk categories should receive regular monitoring of blood pressure in order to detect orthostatic hypotension and prevent its complications. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 305-309)