Short-term evolution of vasovagal syncope: influence on the quality of life

Int J Cardiol. 2005 Jul 10;102(2):315-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2004.10.019.

Abstract

To evaluate the short-term evolution and changes in the quality of life (QoL) of patients suffering from vasovagal syncope (VVS) by the application of the Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) that was prospectively administrated to all consecutive patients with syncope and abnormal response to head-up tilt test. We included 167 patients (55.7% women, median age 42 years old). During a 6-month follow-up, recurrence was observed in 33 patients (19.8%). The mean recurrence-free time was 6.2+/-0.34 months. Among those patients with and without relapses, there were only differences in the previous number of syncopes (6 vs. 3, p=0.0051). Of them, 19 (11%) only presented 1 syncopal relapse and 14 (8.2%) presented more than 1. There were differences in the time until the first relapse [4 months (2.3-5.4) vs. 1.6 months (0.8-3.3), p=0.002] and an inverse correlation between the time until the appearance of recurrences and their number (r2 Spearman=-0.54, p=0.002). In just 6 months, those patients who had recurrence had a worse QoL than those who did not, in 7 dimensions of the SF-36 questionnaire. In the short-term, one in every five patients with VVS had at least 1 relapse, and if it is very early, it can recur in up to 8% of them. The QoL of these patients is correlated with the appearance of relapses.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Posture / physiology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Syncope, Vasovagal / epidemiology
  • Syncope, Vasovagal / physiopathology
  • Syncope, Vasovagal / psychology*
  • Time Factors