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Clinical Autonomic Research
Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research 2/2017

01-04-2017 | Research Article

Health-related quality of life and suicide risk in postural tachycardia syndrome

Authors: Cathy L. Pederson, Jill Blettner Brook

Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research | Issue 2/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a disorder featured by orthostatic intolerance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the severity of quality of life issues in POTS patients.

Methods

Online surveys for health related quality of life, sleep quality, fatigue, pain, and suicidal ideation were completed by 624 POTS patients and 139 controls.

Results

People with POTS have significantly more days of poor physical health (p < 0.001), fewer days with good energy (p < 0.001), and significantly more days with activity limitations (p < 0.001) than controls. Pain severity was significantly higher for those with POTS (p < 0.001) while feelings of control over life was lower than controls (p < 0.001). Sleep quality and daytime fatigue were also significantly worse for those with POTS than controls (p < 0.001). Finally, those with POTS have a significantly higher risk of suicide compared with controls (p < 0.001).

Interpretation

The myriad of symptoms from which many POTS patients suffer is associated with a decreased quality of life. Nearly half of our sample with POTS was at high risk for suicide. More work needs to be done to determine the underlying issues surrounding suicide in POTS so that an appropriate treatment regimen can be developed.
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Metadata
Title
Health-related quality of life and suicide risk in postural tachycardia syndrome
Authors
Cathy L. Pederson
Jill Blettner Brook
Publication date
01-04-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Clinical Autonomic Research / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 0959-9851
Electronic ISSN: 1619-1560
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-017-0399-5

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