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Smith SJ, Smith BH, Sichlau MJ, Chen B, Knight D, Rowe PC. Nonpelvic comorbid symptoms of 45 patients with pain of pelvic venous origin, before and after treatment. Phlebology 2024:2683555241273109. [PMID: 39126670 DOI: 10.1177/02683555241273109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report the prevalence and severity of nonpelvic symptoms for patients with venous-origin chronic pelvic pain (VO-CPP) and to describe outcomes after pelvic vein stenting and embolization. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed outcomes of 45 women with VO-CPP who underwent treatment with iliac vein stenting and/or embolization. Patients completed symptom-severity questionnaires before and after treatment that assessed for pelvic pain, and multiple other symptoms, including brain fog, anxiety, depression, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, migraines and more. RESULTS Patient age ranged from 18 to 65 years. The prevalence of common symptoms was as follows: migraines, 69%; brain fog, 76%; anxiety attacks, 58%; excess sweating, 64%; hip pain, 73%; diarrhea, 62%; constipation, 76%; and abdominal bloating, 82%. After treatment, most symptom scores improved by more than 50%; exceptions were excessive sweating (41% improvement) and bloating (47% improvement). Prevalence of individual symptoms that bundle into POTS ranged from 29% to 76%, where symptom improvement ranged from 23% to 59% after treatment. Overlapping individual symptoms characteristic of fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) were present in 64% to 82% of patients and all improved by 49% to 63% after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Pelvic venous flow abnormality is linked causally to a spectrum of interrelated symptoms, of which many can be bundled into named syndromes of unknown cause. With catheter- based treatment of pelvic venous pooling, nonpelvic symptom and syndrome scores improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Smith
- Vascular and Interventional Professionals, Hinsdale, IL, USA
| | - B Holly Smith
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- Museum of Anthropological Archaeology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Brenda Chen
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA, USA
| | - Dacre Knight
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Peter C Rowe
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Boris JR, Shadiack EC, McCormick EM, MacMullen L, George‐Sankoh I, Falk MJ. Long-Term POTS Outcomes Survey: Diagnosis, Therapy, and Clinical Outcomes. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e033485. [PMID: 38958137 PMCID: PMC11292765 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.033485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited data exist on long-term outcomes in individuals with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). We designed an electronic questionnaire assessing various aspects of outcomes among patients diagnosed and treated in a single-center pediatric POTS clinical program. METHODS AND RESULTS The LT-POTS (Long Term POTS Outcomes Survey) included questions about quality of life, symptoms, therapies, education, employment, and social impact of disease. Patients age≤18 years at POTS diagnosis who were managed in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia POTS Program were included. A total of 227 patients with POTS responded with sufficient data for interpretation. The mean age of respondents was 21.8±3.5 years. The median age of symptom onset was 13 (interquartile range 11-14) years, with mean 9.6±3.4 years symptom duration. Multiple cardiovascular, neurologic, and gastrointestinal symptoms were reported. Symptom prevalence and severity were worse for female patients, with 99% of patients reporting ongoing symptoms. Quality of life showed moderate function and limitation, with more severe limitations in energy/fatigue and general health. Nearly three quarters of patients had diagnostic delays, and over half were told that their symptoms were "in their head." Multiple medications were used and were felt to be effective, whereas fewer nonpharmacologic interventions demonstrated efficacy. Nearly 90% of patients required continued nonpharmacologic therapy to control symptoms. CONCLUSIONS POTS is a chronic disorder leading to significant disability with a range of multisystem problems. Although symptoms can be modifiable, it rarely spontaneously resolves. Improved understanding of POTS presentation and therapeutic approaches may inform provider education, improve diagnostic success, and help patients self-advocate for appropriate medical management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward C. Shadiack
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, VA New Jersey Healthcare SystemEast OrangeNJUSA
| | - Elizabeth M. McCormick
- Mitochondrial Medicine Frontier ProgramChildren’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Laura MacMullen
- Mitochondrial Medicine Frontier ProgramChildren’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Ibrahim George‐Sankoh
- Mitochondrial Medicine Frontier ProgramChildren’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Marni J. Falk
- Mitochondrial Medicine Frontier ProgramChildren’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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Wang Y, Du J, Li X, Liu P, Wang Y, Liao Y, Jin H. Impact of Comorbidities on the Prognosis of Pediatric Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:8945-8954. [PMID: 34866935 PMCID: PMC8636694 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s339805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of comorbidities on the prognosis of pediatric postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, 275 children with POTS admitted to the Department of Pediatrics at Peking University First Hospital were recruited from 2016 to 2019 and followed up. The participants were divided into simple POTS (S-POTS, n=156 cases) and POTS with comorbidities (Co-POTS, n=119 cases) groups according to whether they were complicated with comorbidities. A Cox regression analysis was used to identify the prognostic risk factors for children with POTS, while Kaplan-Meier curves were applied to compare the cumulative symptom remission rate (CSRR) between the two groups. The rehospitalization of the children between the two groups was also compared to explore the influence of comorbidities. RESULTS Twenty-one participants (7.6%) were lost during a median follow-up of 24 months. The Cox regression model showed that comorbidities and body mass index (BMI) were associated with the CSRR of the children with POTS. The CSRR of pediatric POTS alone was 1.748 times higher than that of patients with comorbidities, and the CSRR was decreased by 5.1% for each 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI. The most common comorbidity in children with POTS in this study was allergic disorders, followed by the psychological diseases. The patients in the Co-POTS group had a lower CSRR than those in the S-POTS group (log rank P=0.0001). In addition, compared with those of the S-POTS group, the total number of rehospitalizations was high (P=0.001), and the total hospital stays were long in the Co-POTS group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Complicating with comorbidities, pediatric patients with POTS had lower CSRR and more rehospitalizations than those without comorbidities. More attention should be given to comorbidities when managing pediatric POTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaru Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junbao Du
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xueying Li
- Department of Medical Statistics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuli Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongfang Jin
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China
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Lee SH, Kang Y, Sohn JH, Cho SJ. Dizziness Handicap and Its Contributing Factors in Patients With Migraine. Pain Pract 2019; 19:484-490. [PMID: 30659725 DOI: 10.1111/papr.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dizziness is frequently reported in patients with migraine. However, its assessment is often neglected in clinical practice. We investigated the dizziness handicap experienced by patients with migraine and its contributing factors. METHODS A total of 361 migraine outpatients (270 women, 91 men; mean age 39.01 ± 11.2 years) were given the Korean Dizziness Handicap Inventory (KDHI) questionnaire (total score: 100 points; cutoff: 29). The Headache Impact Test, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were also administered. Clinical data such as age, sex, number of headache attacks per month, pain intensity on the visual analog scale, and average sleep hours were collected to find contributing factors. Comparisons were made between chronic and episodic migraine. RESULTS A total of 153 patients were classified as having dizziness handicap (M+DH) and 208 had migraine without dizziness handicap (M-DH). Patients with M+DH experienced more headache attacks per month than patients with M-DH (P = 0.010). The proportion of patients with chronic migraine was larger in the M+DH group (29.4% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.006). Patients with M+DH showed higher scores than patients with M-DH in all the KDHI subscales. Multivariable logistic regression showed headache impact, pain intensity, anxiety, and depression to be significantly associated with dizziness handicap. CONCLUSION The data suggest that patients with migraine, especially those with chronic-type migraine, experience physical, emotional, and functional handicaps due to dizziness. Dizziness handicap is related to headache impact, anxiety, and depression. Targeted management of such factors is required to reduce the severity of subjective discomfort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Hwa Lee
- Department of Neurology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, South Korea
| | - Yeonwook Kang
- Department of Psychology, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.,Department of Neurology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, South Korea
| | - Jong-Hee Sohn
- Department of Neurology, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Soo-Jin Cho
- Department of Neurology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong, South Korea
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Stewart JM, Boris JR, Chelimsky G, Fischer PR, Fortunato JE, Grubb BP, Heyer GL, Jarjour IT, Medow MS, Numan MT, Pianosi PT, Singer W, Tarbell S, Chelimsky TC. Pediatric Disorders of Orthostatic Intolerance. Pediatrics 2018; 141:peds.2017-1673. [PMID: 29222399 PMCID: PMC5744271 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-1673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Orthostatic intolerance (OI), having difficulty tolerating an upright posture because of symptoms or signs that abate when returned to supine, is common in pediatrics. For example, ∼40% of people faint during their lives, half of whom faint during adolescence, and the peak age for first faint is 15 years. Because of this, we describe the most common forms of OI in pediatrics and distinguish between chronic and acute OI. These common forms of OI include initial orthostatic hypotension (which is a frequently seen benign condition in youngsters), true orthostatic hypotension (both neurogenic and nonneurogenic), vasovagal syncope, and postural tachycardia syndrome. We also describe the influences of chronic bed rest and rapid weight loss as aggravating factors and causes of OI. Presenting signs and symptoms are discussed as well as patient evaluation and testing modalities. Putative causes of OI, such as gravitational and exercise deconditioning, immune-mediated disease, mast cell activation, and central hypovolemia, are described as well as frequent comorbidities, such as joint hypermobility, anxiety, and gastrointestinal issues. The medical management of OI is considered, which includes both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches. Finally, we discuss the prognosis and long-term implications of OI and indicate future directions for research and patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - John E. Fortunato
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Yun DJ, Choi HN, Oh GS. A case of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome associated with migraine and fibromyalgia. Korean J Pain 2013; 26:303-6. [PMID: 23862007 PMCID: PMC3710947 DOI: 10.3344/kjp.2013.26.3.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) refers to the presence of orthostatic intolerance with a heart rate (HR) increment of 30 beats per minute (bpm) or an absolute HR of 120 bpm or more. There are sporadic reports of the autonomic nervous system dysfunction in migraine and fibromyalgia. We report a case of POTS associated with migraine and fibromyalgia. The patient was managed with multidisciplinary therapies involving medication, education, and exercise which resulted in symptomatic improvement. We also review the literature on the association between POTS, migraine, and fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Joo Yun
- Department of Neurology, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
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Ocon AJ. Caught in the thickness of brain fog: exploring the cognitive symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Front Physiol 2013; 4:63. [PMID: 23576989 PMCID: PMC3617392 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is defined as greater than 6 months of persistent fatigue that is experienced physically and cognitively. The cognitive symptoms are generally thought to be a mild cognitive impairment, but individuals with CFS subjectively describe them as "brain fog." The impairment is not fully understood and often is described as slow thinking, difficulty focusing, confusion, lack of concentration, forgetfulness, or a haziness in thought processes. Causes of "brain fog" and mild cognitive impairment have been investigated. Possible physiological correlates may be due to the effects of chronic orthostatic intolerance (OI) in the form of the Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and decreases in cerebral blood flow (CBF). In addition, fMRI studies suggest that individuals with CFS may require increased cortical and subcortical brain activation to complete difficult mental tasks. Furthermore, neurocognitive testing in CFS has demonstrated deficits in speed and efficiency of information processing, attention, concentration, and working memory. The cognitive impairments are then perceived as an exaggerated mental fatigue. As a whole, this is experienced by those with CFS as "brain fog" and may be viewed as the interaction of physiological, cognitive, and perceptual factors. Thus, the cognitive symptoms of CFS may be due to altered CBF activation and regulation that are exacerbated by a stressor, such as orthostasis or a difficult mental task, resulting in the decreased ability to readily process information, which is then perceived as fatiguing and experienced as "brain fog." Future research looks to further explore these interactions, how they produce cognitive impairments, and explain the perception of "brain fog" from a mechanistic standpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Ocon
- Departments of Physiology/Medicine, Center for Hypotension, New York Medical College Valhalla, NY, USA
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Comorbid health conditions in women with syncope. Clin Auton Res 2010; 20:223-7. [PMID: 20458514 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-010-0070-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We determine the comorbid conditions associated with syncope in women. In addition, we hypothesize a higher proportion of autonomic comorbid conditions during the female reproductive age. METHODS We identified a cohort of patients admitted to US hospitals with the principal diagnosis of syncope. We compare patient demographics stratified by gender as well as syncope associated comorbidities. We compared these comorbidities in female of reproductive age (15-45) to men as control. RESULTS From a total sample of 305,932, females constituted 56.7% (n = 173,434). Females were slightly older (mean age 70.9 +/- 17.9 vs. 66.7 +/- 17.3; P < 0.0001); with similar racial distribution (white 57.8 vs. 57.5%), and similar length of hospital stay (mean 2.66 +/- 2.63 vs. 2.68 +/- 2.72 days; P > 0.05). Females had higher proportion of migraine (1.65 vs. 1.29%; odds ratio 'OR' 1.29; 95% confidence interval 'CI' 1.21, 1.36); chronic fatigue syndrome (1.73 vs. 1.3%; OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.25, 1.4); gastroparesis (0.2 vs. 0.12%; OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.35, 1.98); interstitial cystitis (0.07 vs. 0.01%; OR 7.44; 95% CI 4.10, 13.5); and postural tachycardia syndrome (0.49 vs. 0.44%; OR 1.1; 95% CI 1.001, 1.23). Orthostatic hypotension was not different between the groups (P = 0.24). When the sample was stratified by age category, the odds ratio for gastroparesis, orthostatic hypotension, and postural tachycardia syndrome was increased (P < 0.05). INTERPRETATION A higher proportion of autonomic dysfunction was present in women compared to men. In addition, these comorbid autonomic conditions were especially prominent during the female reproductive age.
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