Purpose: To determine the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in elderly inpatients, to identify known risk factors as well as to investigate quality of care given to these patients.
Patients and methods: One hundred elderly inpatients aged 60 and over (mean age: 69.2 years), 66 women and 34 men were investigated. We measured supine (after resting for 30 minutes) and one, two, three, four and five minutes standing blood pressures. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic pressure of 20 mmHg or more with or without symptoms. The case notes of these subjects were reviewed and the presence of risk factors (diseases and medications associated with OH) was recorded as well as the short of treatment given to these patients.
Results: The prevalence of OH was 30% (30 patients); 1/3 had symptoms, one or more known risk factors were found in every patient. Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension was found in 5 patients (5 out of 30 patients). Only one patient with OH was diagnosed (1-30 patients).
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of OH in elderly inpatients and its association with various known risk factors. Most patients are not diagnosed and therefore not managed properly.