title: Outcomes of Adolescent-Onset Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
abstract: To determine the clinical course of adolescent-onset postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and to assess health-related quality of life, 2-10 years after diagnosis.
  
  
  
  Pediatric patients, 13-18 years of age, diagnosed with POTS at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, from 2003 to 2010 were mailed a questionnaire if they were at least 18 years of age at the time of the mailing. The primary outcome measures were norm-based, age- and sex-adjusted, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey physical composite score and mental composite score.
  
  
  
  The survey was mailed to 502 patients with a response rate of 34% (n = 172). The mean duration from diagnosis to survey completion was 5.4 (SD, 1.9) years; the mean age of the respondents at the time of the survey was 21.8 (2.2) years. The responders were predominantly females (84% vs 68% of nonresponders; P < .001). Only 33 (19%) respondents reported complete resolution of symptoms, and an additional 51% reported persistent but improved symptoms, and 28 (16%) had only intermittent symptoms. The majority (71%) consider their health at least "good." The mean physical composite score was significantly lower than the population norm (mean [SD], 36.6 [15.8] vs 50; P < .001), however, the corresponding mean mental composite score was normal (50.1 [11.2]).
  
  
  
  Overall, 86% of adolescents with POTS report resolved, improved, or just intermittent symptoms, when assessed via questionnaire at an average of 5 years after initial treatment. Patients with persistent symptoms have more physical than mental health concerns.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Roma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Division of General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kizilbash
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Division of General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Shelley P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ahrens
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Killian
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Division of General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kimmes
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Division of General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Knoebel
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Division of General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Prasuna
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muppa
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.affiliation: Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Division of General Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Electronic address: fischer.phil@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Philip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D054972:Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: autonomic dysfunction; chronic fatigue; dizziness; dysautonomia