Bourne Kate M, Sheldon Robert S, Exner Derek V, Runte Mary, Raj Satish R
Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Dhillon School of Business, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
CJC Open. 2024 Aug 2;6(11):1324-1333. doi: 10.1016/j.cjco.2024.07.013. eCollection 2024 Nov.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic form of orthostatic intolerance that primarily affects female patients. Despite the severity of POTS, there are no approved medications for use in patients with this disorder. Compression garments are a commonly prescribed nonpharmacological treatment, but little is known about the patient experience with compression. In this study we aimed to evaluate the patient experience with compression garments using a structured survey and semistructured telephone interviews.
A focused survey was designed as a component of a larger clinical trial on compression garment use in patients diagnosed with POTS. Building on the survey, semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with POTS patients. Recorded interviews were transcribed and coded in a thematic analysis using a descriptive-interpretive approach.
A total of 27 participants completed the survey, and 20 participants completed the telephone interview. Patient experiences with compression were variable, with some participants experiencing significant benefits, and others reporting minimal to no benefits. Six themes that influenced garment use were identified: the potential benefit of the garment to improve symptoms, specific activities patients will be undertaking, environmental conditions, garment attributes, psychological and cognitive aspects, and financial considerations.
Participants engage in a daily cost-benefit analysis when making decisions to use a compression garment. Clinicians should be aware of the benefits of and factors that limit use of compression garments as a treatment for POTS.
体位性直立性心动过速综合征（POTS）是一种慢性直立不耐受形式，主要影响女性患者。尽管POTS病情严重，但尚无获批用于该疾病患者的药物。加压服装是一种常用的非药物治疗方法，但对于患者使用加压服装的体验知之甚少。在本研究中，我们旨在通过结构化调查和半结构化电话访谈来评估患者使用加压服装的体验。
设计了一项针对性调查，作为一项关于诊断为POTS的患者使用加压服装的更大规模临床试验的一部分。在该调查的基础上，对POTS患者进行了半结构化电话访谈。对录制的访谈进行转录，并采用描述性解释方法进行主题分析编码。
共有27名参与者完成了调查，20名参与者完成了电话访谈。患者使用加压服装的体验各不相同，一些参与者体验到显著益处，而另一些参与者则报告益处甚微或没有益处。确定了影响服装使用的六个主题：服装改善症状的潜在益处、患者将进行的特定活动、环境条件、服装属性、心理和认知方面以及经济因素。
参与者在决定使用加压服装时会进行日常的成本效益分析。临床医生应了解加压服装作为POTS治疗方法的益处和限制其使用的因素。
