Key result
POTS is linked to a ~35% reduction in work ability scores versus healthy controls.
Why the study?
Little is known about the consequences of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome on work performance and its relationship with individual autonomic profiles.
Does postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) reduce work ability compared to healthy controls, and does it correlate with autonomic profiles?
Case-Control (n=40)
No
Does postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) reduce work ability compared to healthy controls, and does it correlate with autonomic profiles?
Absolute Event Rate: 29.84% vs 45.63%
p-value: p=<0.01
POTS significantly reduces work ability, and this reduction is directly correlated with the severity of autonomic symptoms and excessive cardiac sympathetic activation during orthostatic stress.
POTS may impair work ability in employed patients; leaves open prospective validation and intervention effects on occupational outcomes.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) negatively impacts quality of life. The excessive increase in cardiac sympathetic modulation during standing, which characterizes POTS patients, leads to many symptoms and signs of orthostatic intolerance. Little is known about the consequences of the disease on work performance and its relationship with individual autonomic profiles. Twenty-two POTS patients regularly engaged in working activity (20 females, age 36 ± 12 years) and 18 gender- and age-matched controls underwent a clinical evaluation and filled out the Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire. POTS patients completed the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS31) questionnaire, underwent continuous electrocardiogram, blood pressure and respiratory activity recordings while supine and during a 75° head-up tilt (HUT). A power spectrum analysis provided the index of cardiac sympatho-vagal balance (LF/HF). WAI scores were significantly reduced in POTS patients (29.84 ± 1.40) compared to controls (45.63 ± 0.53, p < 0.01). A significant inverse correlation was found between individual WAI and COMPASS31 scores (r = -0.46; p = 0.03), HUT increase in heart rate (r = -0.57; p = 0.01) and LF/HF (r = -0.55; p = 0.01). In POTS patients, the WAI scores were inversely correlated to the intensity of autonomic symptoms and to the excessive cardiac sympathetic activation induced by the gravitational stimulus.
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Barbic et al. (2020) conducted a case-control in Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) (n=40). Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Work Ability Index (WAI) score (p=<0.01). Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome was associated with significantly reduced Work Ability Index scores compared to healthy controls (29.84 vs 45.63, p < 0.01).
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