Table 1.
Demographic and clinical features of the study population.
| Demographics, Clinical Features and Hemodynamic Parameters | Patients at | Patients at | Patients at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | 1-Year Follow-Up | 2-Year Follow-Up | |
| n = 42 | n = 25 | n = 12 | |
| Age (mean ± SD), y | 33.9 ± 12.5 | 37.3 ± 12.0 | 42.0 ± 13.4 |
| Female, n (%) | 36 (85.7) | 22 (88.0) | 10 (83.3) |
| BMI (mean ± SD) | 21.2 ± 4.0 | 21.4 ± 4.0 | 21.1 ± 4.0 |
| Active workers, n (%) | 22 (61.1) * | 15 (62.5) * | 7 (63.6) * |
| Patients with comorbidities, n (%) | 22 (52.4) | 13 (52.0) | 5 (41.6) |
| Fibromyalgia | 5 (11.9) | 3 (12.0) | 2 (16.7) |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome | 3 (7.1) | 1 (4.0) | 1 (8.3) |
| Ehlers–Danlos syndrome | 6 (14.3) | 4 (16.0) | 0 |
| Chronic headache | 2 (4.8) | 2 (8.0) | 0 |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | 4 (9.5) | 2 (8.0) | 1 (8.3) |
| Post infection | 9 (21.4) | 5 (20.0) | 1 (8.3) |
| Patients on therapy, n (%) ** | 31 (73.8) | 19 (76.0) | 8 (66.7) |
| Beta blockers | 8 (19.0) | 5 (20.0) | 3 (25.0) |
| Ivabradine | 13 (31.0) | 11 (44.0) | 4 (33.3) |
| Fludrocortisone | 4 (9.6) | 1 (4.0) | 0 |
| Cortone acetate/prednisone | 2 (4.8) | 1 (4.0) | 1 (8.3) |
| Midodrine | 7 (16.7) | 3 (12.0) | 1 (8.3) |
| Benzodiazepines | 4 (9.5) | 1 (4.0) | 1 (8.3) |
| Antidepressants (SSRI, SNRI, TCA) | 4 (9.5) | 5 (20.0) | 2 (16.7) |
| Hemodynamic parameters | |||
| Supine position (mean, ± SD) | |||
| SAP (mmHg) | 116.6 ± 12.6 | 116.5 ± 16.9 | 110.7 ± 15.8 |
| DAP (mmHg) | 70.2 ± 9.6 | 69.3 ± 11.1 | 69.7 ± 10.3 |
| HR (beats/min) | 80.0 ± 16.0 | 75.3 ± 14.7 | 74.4 ± 9.3 |
| Upright position (mean, ± SD) | |||
| SAP (mmHg) | 115.8 ± 15.3 | 117.2 ± 19.0 | 118.0 ± 24.3 |
| DAP (mmHg) | 76.1 ± 12.2 | 78.2 ± 10.6 | 81.0 ± 10.9 |
| HR (beats/min) | 107.7 ± 19.3 | 103.0 ± 21.1 | 101.1 ± 15.6 |
BMI indicates body mass index; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; SNRI, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; TCA, tricyclic antidepressant; SAP, systolic arterial blood pressure; DAP, diastolic arterial blood pressure; HR, heart rate. * Work activity status was known for 36 patients out of 42 at baseline, 24 out of 25 at 1 year and 11 out of 12 at 2 years. ** Patients may assume more than 1 medication at the same time.