Chronic cough in the Holmes-Adie syndrome: association in five cases with autonomic dysfunction
- aNeurovascular Medicine Unit, Division of Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, and Autonomic Unit, University Department of Clinical Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK, bChest and Allergy Unit, Department of Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, London
- Dr J Kimber, Neurovascular Medicine Unit, Division of Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine, Imperial College School Of Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Clarence Wing, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK. Telephone 0044 171 886 1468; fax 0171 886 1540.
- Received 23 September 1997
- Revised 4 March 1998
- Accepted 9 March 1998
Abstract
The Holmes-Adie syndrome consists of unilateral or bilateral tonic pupils with near light dissociation and tendon areflexia. It is associated with autonomic disturbances affecting sudomotor and vasomotor function. Five such patients are reported on who also had a troublesome chronic dry cough, which was of unknown aetiology and was resistant to a range of treatments. The cough may be related to involvement of afferent or efferent pathways in the vagus. Chronic cough may be an accompaniment in the Holmes-Adie syndrome, like other forms of autonomic dysfunction.
