Skin Biopsy and Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Testing in Patients With Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

No formal diagnostic criteria exist for the neuropathic subtype of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Skin biopsy and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing (QSORT) are preferred methods of assessment for autonomic small fiber neuropathy (SFN). This study characterizes the utility of these testing methods at a tertiary center and identifies clinical features associated with abnormal testing.

Medical records of 2658 patients undergoing tilt table testing at a single institution between June 2018 and December 2020 were reviewed. Patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome were included for analysis of intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD), sweat output, comorbidities, symptoms, measures of cardiovascular autonomic function, and serum antibody levels.

356 patients (90% female, mean age 31 ± 10) met the diagnostic criteria for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Of 211 patients who underwent quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing, 70 (33%) demonstrated reduced sweat output. These patients were more likely to demonstrate sympathetic impairment during the Valsalva maneuver. Of 80 patients who underwent skin biopsies, 19 (24%) demonstrated reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density. These patients tended to be older and have reduced heart rate variability during deep breathing. Neither test was associated with specific serum antibodies, symptoms, or comorbidities, though there was a trend toward higher rates of comorbid autoimmune disease in patients with abnormal testing.

A subset of patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome have evidence of small fiber neuropathy. These patients tend to have impaired cardiovascular autonomic function but are otherwise similar to patients with no evidence of small fiber neuropathy.