Time Course of Autonomic Symptoms in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Patients: Two-Year Follow-Up Results

Franca Dipaola, Caterina Barberi, Elena Castelnuovo, Maura Minonzio, Roberto Fornerone, Dana Shiffer, Beatrice Cairo, Antonio Roberto Zamuner, Franca Barbic and Raffaello Furlan
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Franca Dipaola: Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
Caterina Barberi: Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
Elena Castelnuovo: Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
Maura Minonzio: Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
Roberto Fornerone: Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
Dana Shiffer: Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
Beatrice Cairo: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
Antonio Roberto Zamuner: Departamento de Kinesiología, Universidad Católica del Maule, 3605 Talca, Chile
Franca Barbic: Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
Raffaello Furlan: Internal Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center—IRCCS, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-13

Abstract: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a multifactorial condition capable of chronically reducing the quality of life and the work ability of patients. The study aim was to assess the burden of autonomic symptoms in a cohort of POTS patients over 2 years. Patients’ clinical profiles were assessed by the 31-item Composite Autonomic Symptom Score questionnaire (COMPASS 31) and a visual analog scale (VAS). One-way ANOVA for repeated measures followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc test were used to compare symptoms at baseline and at 1 and 2 years. Out of 42 enrolled patients, 25 had a 1-year follow-up and 12 had a 2-year follow-up. At baseline, the reported burden of autonomic symptoms was high (overall COMPASS 31 = 49.9 ± 14.3 /100). Main complaints were related to orthostatic intolerance according to both COMPASS 31 and VAS. Fourteen patients were rendered inactive because of symptoms. At 1-year follow-up, a statistically significant improvement in pupillomotor function and overall score was detected by the COMPASS 31. These findings were confirmed at 2 years, together with a significant reduction in quality of life impairment, assessed by VAS. However, these improvements did not change patients’ occupational status. Awareness of POTS diagnosis, patient monitoring, and tailored therapies can help to improve patients’ condition.

Keywords: POTS; syncope; orthostatic hypotension; working (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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