A survey of syncope in the teachers and students undergoing health examination

Objective To investigate the incidence of syncope in the teachers and students of a university undergoing health examination and to analyze the characteristics of syncope. Methods Students and teachers undergoing health examination in a university were enrolled in the investigation. The incidence of syncope was evaluated by questionnaire according to the definition of syncope recommended by European Society of Cardiology. Physical examination information of people with syncope was collected. People whose electrocardiogram was abnormal took Holter examination. Results There were 1 018 effective questionnaires among 1 060 questionnaires. The number of questionnaires with syncope was 64, and the incidence was 6.29%. The male and female incidences were 5.67% and 10.29% respectively(P=0.039). The syncope incidences in age30, 30-59 and ≥60 groups were 5.90%, 7.70% and 8.00% respectively(P=0.59). The proportion of syncope with inducements was 82.81%. Presyncope occurred in 65.63% people with syncope. People visiting a doctor after syncope accounted for 14.06% of total people with syncope. Physical examination results could not explain the precise cause of syncope. Conclusions The incidence of syncope in the teachers and students of a university undergoing health examination is 6.29%. Most syncope has inducements and presyncope. The effect of routine physical examination on identifying the precise cause of syncope is limited.