Liz B Wang1, Collin J Culbertson2, Anindita Deb3, Karen Morgenshtern4, Hao Huang5, Anna DePold Hohler6. 1. Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, United States. Electronic address: lizbwang@bu.edu. 2. Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, United States. Electronic address: collinculbertson@gmail.com. 3. Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, United States. Electronic address: anindita.deb@umassmemorial.org. 4. Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, United States. Electronic address: karenvm23@gmail.com. 5. Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, United States. Electronic address: hhuang@bu.edu. 6. Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, United States. Electronic address: anna.hohler@bmc.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a dysautonomia defined by an exaggerated increase in heart rate upon changing posture. It is associated with disturbances involving multiple organ systems, including neurologic, dermatologic, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Previous studies identified GI complaints in these patients and showed gastric emptying and electrical activity abnormalities. However, the full spectrum of GI symptoms and their impact on quality of life remains unclear. METHODS: A 30-question survey of GI symptoms was collected from 28 patients with POTS seen in the Boston Medical Center Autonomic Clinic. Answers were recorded on a Likert rating scale. Symptoms were positive if patients answered "strongly agree" or "agree" and negative if they answered "strongly disagree" or "disagree." Responses were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The most commonly reported GI symptoms were nausea (86%), irregular bowel movements (71%), abdominal pain (70%), and constipation (70%). Additionally, 82% of patients reported having GI symptoms more than once per week, and 71% reported having seen a GI specialist, and symptoms did not improve with changes in position. Twelve patients had undergone a gastric emptying study, and six of these patients reported receiving a diagnosis of gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying. CONCLUSIONS: GI disturbances are common, frequent, and prolonged in patients with POTS, likely impacting quality of life. Given the importance of the enteric nervous system to normal GI functioning, the same autonomic impairment leading to POTS may result in abnormal gut motility and ultimately subjective GI discomfort.
BACKGROUND:Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a dysautonomia defined by an exaggerated increase in heart rate upon changing posture. It is associated with disturbances involving multiple organ systems, including neurologic, dermatologic, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Previous studies identified GI complaints in these patients and showed gastric emptying and electrical activity abnormalities. However, the full spectrum of GI symptoms and their impact on quality of life remains unclear. METHODS: A 30-question survey of GI symptoms was collected from 28 patients with POTS seen in the Boston Medical Center Autonomic Clinic. Answers were recorded on a Likert rating scale. Symptoms were positive if patients answered "strongly agree" or "agree" and negative if they answered "strongly disagree" or "disagree." Responses were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The most commonly reported GI symptoms were nausea (86%), irregular bowel movements (71%), abdominal pain (70%), and constipation (70%). Additionally, 82% of patients reported having GI symptoms more than once per week, and 71% reported having seen a GI specialist, and symptoms did not improve with changes in position. Twelve patients had undergone a gastric emptying study, and six of these patients reported receiving a diagnosis of gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying. CONCLUSIONS: GI disturbances are common, frequent, and prolonged in patients with POTS, likely impacting quality of life. Given the importance of the enteric nervous system to normal GI functioning, the same autonomic impairment leading to POTS may result in abnormal gut motility and ultimately subjective GI discomfort.
Authors: Franca Dipaola; Caterina Barberi; Elena Castelnuovo; Maura Minonzio; Roberto Fornerone; Dana Shiffer; Beatrice Cairo; Antonio Roberto Zamuner; Franca Barbic; Raffaello Furlan Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-08-13 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Ditte S Kornum; Astrid J Terkelsen; Davide Bertoli; Mette W Klinge; Katrine L Høyer; Huda H A Kufaishi; Per Borghammer; Asbjørn M Drewes; Christina Brock; Klaus Krogh Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2021-03-31 Impact factor: 4.241