Mariana Silva1, Ana Godinho2, João Freitas1,2. 1. Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Medicina, Porto, Portugal. 2. Centro Hospitalar São João, Cardiologia, Porto, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Transient loss of consciousness (TLoC) is a symptom that has several differential etiologic diagnosis, causes significant morbidity and mortality with impact on quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to access the diagnosis and prognosis of these patients admitted in a Portuguese University Hospital. METHODS: The study included 125 patients with TLoC admitted in the emergency room and then admitted to the hospital during the year 2013. Patients were contacted by phone for follow-up evaluations, during the 18 months from the date of admission. RESULTS: Cardiogenic syncope was the most common etiology of TLoC (39.2%). The 18-month overall mortality was 11.2%, however this was higher in patients with unexplained TLoC, with an 18-month mortality of 27.8% (p = 0.031); It was found that half of patients who died, did so in the first month from admission date; 20% of patients had recurrent episodes of TLoC (mean number of 5.6 episodes), with a higher percentage of recurrence occurring in patients with reflex syncope (35.3%; p = 0.023). 60% of patients with recurrent episodes suffered accidents and/or injuries, and 20% of recurrence patients gave up driving (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: The results obtained highlight the burden of TLoC in terms of morbidity and mortality, similar results to those previously published, except for the prevalence of the etiology, cause of death and recurrence's etiology of TLoC. This study emphasizes the significant implications that TLoC leads on morbidity and mortality being essential its accurate diagnosis. Copyright 2016 PBJ-Associação Porto Biomedical/Porto Biomedical Society.
BACKGROUND: Transient loss of consciousness (TLoC) is a symptom that has several differential etiologic diagnosis, causes significant morbidity and mortality with impact on quality of life. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to access the diagnosis and prognosis of these patients admitted in a Portuguese University Hospital. METHODS: The study included 125 patients with TLoC admitted in the emergency room and then admitted to the hospital during the year 2013. Patients were contacted by phone for follow-up evaluations, during the 18 months from the date of admission. RESULTS: Cardiogenic syncope was the most common etiology of TLoC (39.2%). The 18-month overall mortality was 11.2%, however this was higher in patients with unexplained TLoC, with an 18-month mortality of 27.8% (p = 0.031); It was found that half of patients who died, did so in the first month from admission date; 20% of patients had recurrent episodes of TLoC (mean number of 5.6 episodes), with a higher percentage of recurrence occurring in patients with reflex syncope (35.3%; p = 0.023). 60% of patients with recurrent episodes suffered accidents and/or injuries, and 20% of recurrence patients gave up driving (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: The results obtained highlight the burden of TLoC in terms of morbidity and mortality, similar results to those previously published, except for the prevalence of the etiology, cause of death and recurrence's etiology of TLoC. This study emphasizes the significant implications that TLoC leads on morbidity and mortality being essential its accurate diagnosis. Copyright 2016 PBJ-Associação Porto Biomedical/Porto Biomedical Society.
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