title: [Syncope in the elderly: findings of diagnostic complementary tests in a University Hospital].
abstract: Syncope is a common symptom among older adults. Its aetiologic diagnosis is mainly clinical, but when it has an unknown origin, complementary studies are necessary. We present the experience of a single center in diagnosing Unknown Origin Syncope (UOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a transversal retrolective study to assess the different tests done to patients studied because of USO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the older group was 77.6 +/- 6.9 years. The 24-hour Hotter were abnormal in 77.9% of patients, but diagnostic in only 16.3%. Age older than 65 years was associated with a 1.9 increase (CI 95% 0.9-4) in the possibilities of having a diagnosis, while age lesser than 65 was associated with a 0.5 risk CI 95% 0.2-1.08 of having a diagnosis. The 48-hour holter showed similar results. Older age was associated with a 1.69 OR, CI 95% 0.6-4.4 to have a positive Tilt test (91% of older patients). They had mainly the vasodepressor variety of neurally-mediated syncope. (57.1% Vs 40.1%, p = 0.01). Of the 6 electrophysiologic studies performed in people older than 65 years, 3 where diagnostic (50% Vs 33.3%, p = 0.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complimentary tests in people elder than 65 years are diagnostic in a higher proportion than in their younger counterparts. Nevertheless there is a higher risk of false-positive results, so tests such as head-up tilt test should be more carefully interpreted.
authors.affiliation: División de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Valle de México Campus Querétaro, Av. Villas del Mesón 1000, Juriquilla, CP 76230, Querétaro, Querétaro, México. easensiol@gmail.com
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Asensio-Lafuente
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orea-Tejeda
authors.forename: Lilia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castillo-Martínez
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fraga-Sastrias
authors.forename: Eloisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Colín-Ramírez
authors.forename: Julio A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Prieto-Sagredo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*