Abstract
IMPORTANCE: A previous study showed a high prevalence of central sensitization syndrome (CSS) in patients with autonomic symptoms. The prevalence of CSS in postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a form of dysautonomia, is unknown.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prevalence of CSS in POTS.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This case-control study included patients with a POTS diagnosis confirmed by autonomic testing at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital between 2022 and 2025. Data were analyzed from April to August 2025.
EXPOSURE: POTS with and without CSS.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Central Sensitization Inventory (to assess central sensitization syndrome [CSS]), COMPASS-31 (autonomic symptoms), Neuropathy Total Symptom Score-6 (NTSS-6, sensory symptoms), PROMIS (global health), and autonomic testing (Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing, sudomotor function, and head-up tilt) with skin biopsies. Primary outcome was the central sensitization inventory score with secondary outcomes individual test performances.
RESULTS: This study included 305 patients with POTS, of whom 264 (86.6%) met criteria for CSS (mean [SD] age, 33.21 [10.75] years; 30 males [11.4%]; 234 females [88.6%]). Patients with CSS compared with those without CSS had longer duration of symptoms, were more frequently female, exhibited higher rates of anxiety (195 [73.9%] vs 20 [48.8%]; P = .002), depression (168 [63.6% vs 14 [34.1%]; P = .001), fibromyalgia (46 [17.4%] vs 0 [0%]; P = .008), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, 90 [34.1%] vs 7 [17.1%]; P = .046), headaches (176 [66.7%] vs 12 [29.3 %]; P < .001), treatment with antihistamine medication (136 [51.5%] vs 13 [31.7%]; P = .03), psychiatric medication (163 [61.7%] vs 17 [41.5 %]; P = .02), pain medication (127 [48.1%] vs 8 [19.5%]; P = .001), and gastrointestinal medication (82 [31.1%] vs 5 [12.2 %]; P = .02), and had higher COMPASS-31 scores (51.93 [13.23] vs 31.18 [10.49]; P < .001), NTSS-6 scores (11.32 [4.86] vs 4.44 [3.32]; P < .001), NRS scores (3.26 [2.73] vs 0.54 [1.21]; P < .001), and worse PROMIS scores (20.36 [5.45] vs 27.96 [4.73]; P < .001). Autonomic tests showed lower orthostatic end-tidal carbon dioxide (27.59 [6.39] mm HG vs 29.46 [4.68] mm HG; P = .002) and a greater orthostatic decline in cerebral blood flow velocity (17.08 [8.72] cm/sec vs 13.68 [5.04] cm/sec; P < .001) in the CSS group. Both groups had similar prevalence of autonomic failure (223 [84.5%] vs. 33 [80.5%]; P = .67, mostly mild intensity), and abnormal skin biopsy (43% in both groups).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that CSS was common in patients with POTS and may represent a higher-order sequela of cerebrovascular, respiratory, and autonomic dysregulation. This heightened central processing may amplify symptom perception through altered interoceptive signaling. Central sensitization and autonomic impairment may coexist, and management should focus on both conditions.