épidémiologie des syncopes

摘要

Syncope is o common problem that can markedly limit quality of life and which is associated with high health care costs. Its incidence may be difficult to estimate due to previous variations in definition, differences in types of population that ore evaluated and under reporting in the general population. There is a bimodal presentation in the incidence of syncope with increasing age. The median age of first syncope is around 15 years and there is a marked increase of incidence after 70 years. Vasovagal syncope is the commonest cause of syncope for all age groups, but cardiac causes become more common with advancing age. The cumulative incidence of syncope ranges from 5 in females aged 20 to 29, up to 50 in females aged 80 and above. One-third of medical students report at least one syncopal episode in their life-time. The life-time cumulative incidence of syncope in women is almost twice that of men. Syncope accounts for up to 1-3 of hospital admissions and Emergency Room (ER) visits and in these settings is associated with cardiovascular co-morbidity and pharmacotherapy lowering blood pressure. In older adults, syncope is a major cause of morbidity and mortality with significant medical costs. Estimations of prevalence and incidence for syncope in older adults maybe confounded by an overlap with presentations classified as falls. In addition to injury and increasing dependency, quality-of-life studies consistently show that functional impairment in persons with recurrent syncope is similar to that of several chronic diseases.