2017 Volume 151 Pages 10-11
A previous retrospective study reported that the sympathetic hypersensitivity caused by chronic stress might induce orthostatic blood pressure elevation (OBPE) and dizziness. This prospective study was planned to endorse that suggestion. Tofisopam, which is effective for normalizing sympathetic hypersensitivity, was administered to 13 dizzy patients with OBPE with no other abnormal findings. The patients were asked about whether they were aware of their exposure to stress or not. After the start of administration of tofisopam, a significant decrease of the OBPE and improvement of dizziness were observed in 12 (92.3%) of the 13 patients. Eleven (84.6%) of the 13 patients were considered to be exposed to chronic stress from their living environment, however, only 8 (61.5%) were aware of their exposure to chronic stress. These results validate the findings of the previous aforementioned study. OBPE may be a promising biomarker in the objective evaluation of chronic stress, because it was observed even in those patients who did not recognize their exposure to chronic stress.
