Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the incidence and prevalence of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and prevalence of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Using a large dataset from 64 healthcare organizations, the research found a significant increase in the incidence rates of POTS post-COVID, rising from 1.42 to 20.3 cases per million per person-year. The number of new POTS cases per month also significantly increased following COVID-19, suggesting COVID-19 may serve as a precipitating factor for post-viral POTS. While there was an initial decline in POTS prevalence shortly after the pandemic began, a notable increase was observed starting January 2023. Additionally, related autonomic nervous system disorders appeared to decrease in the post-COVID cohort. The findings highlight the need for further research to understand the mechanisms and develop treatment strategies for POTS in post-COVID patients.