Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by an excessive increase in heart rate upon standing without significant orthostatic hypotension. While recognized as a major autonomic dysfunction, its epidemiology and treatment patterns remain underexplored on a population level. This study utilizes two public health databases—the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)—to analyze demographic distributions, comorbidities, and treatment trends in 8752 patients with POTS. Findings confirm a female predominance (78%), strong associations with autoimmune and connective tissue disorders, and variable treatment responses. Beta-blockers were the most frequently prescribed medication (60%) and were associated with the highest rate of symptom improvement (67%). This study also reviews non-pharmacological strategies such as lifestyle modifications alongside pharmacological therapies. By leveraging large-scale datasets, our work highlights disparities in diagnosis, treatment heterogeneity, and the need for individualized care strategies. These insights underscore the value of population-level analyses in advancing the clinical management and equity of care for POTS.
Cite this paper
Karri, V. and Wolff, D. (2025). Exploring Demographic and Clinical Trends in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): Insights from Public Database Analysis. Open Access Library Journal, 12, e14134. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1114134.
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