Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Disordered Eating: Clarifying the Overlap

Abstract

Objective: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is estimated to occur in up to 1% of adolescents, with symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, and pain impacting daily functioning. However, many risk factors and symptoms for POTS overlap with those of youth with disordered eating, and adolescents with POTS may be at increased risk for developing eating disorders. Therefore, the present study sought to better understand this overlap. We hypothesized that patients with POTS would have higher than expected rates of weight change, restrictive eating patterns, and food sensitivities.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 96 adolescents and young adults diagnosed with POTS who were participating in a 3-week intensive interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program. We conducted descriptive and correlational statistical analyses on data from self-report measures, biomarkers of nutritional status, and abstracted information about eating and weight concerns from medical notes.

Results: Nearly 3 quarters of participants described engaging in restrictive eating, and more than half of them described experiencing weight loss. They also endorsed experiencing food allergies, celiac disease, and eating disorder at higher rates than would be expected in the general population. One-fifth of the sample had experienced invasive interventions to correct for nutritional imbalances, such as having a feeding tube.

Conclusion: Weight and eating are clear areas of risk for patients with orthostatic intolerance. It is essential that treatment team members thoroughly screen for eating disturbances and make recommendations that support regular and balanced eating habits.