Orthostatic hypotension among elderly patients in Italian internal medicine wards: an observational study

Orthostatic hypotension among elderly patients in Italian internal medicine wards: an observational study: comment

“…Results from our study [2] and from Pasina et al [1] are in keeping with those of Weiss et al [3], supporting the hypothesis that OH is not a consistent finding in older hospitalized patients [3]. Moreover, other studies have shown that OH is often an inconsistent finding also in older outpatients.…”

“…Furthermore, the study of Pasina et al, in keeping with our study, did not document a significantly increased risk of death or other adverse events after discharge in patients with OH [1,2]. On this background, there are persistent uncertainties about the clinical implications of detecting OH in older inpatients; still, according to the current European guidelines on hypertension and on the diagnosis and management of syncope, a careful assessment of blood pressure after standing remains a fundamental good clinical practice with geriatric patients.…”

“…Both our study and that of Pasina et al [1] showed that OH is common in older medical inpatients. Still, neither study was able to recognize any factor significantly and consistently associated with the presence of OH, including polypharmacy or specific medication classes.…”

“…We really appreciated the recently published paper by Pasina et al [1], demonstrating a high prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) among internal medicine inpatients, which was not associated with an increased 6-month mortality. We previously reported similar findings in a sample of consecutive inpatients aged ≥ 65 years admitted in an acute geriatric ward (AGW) at the tertiary hospital Molinette, Turin, Italy [2].…”

Orthostatic hypotension among elderly patients in Italian internal medicine wards: an observational study—comment

“…We recently read with great interest the article written by Pasina et al with the title "Orthostatic hypotension among elderly patients in Italian internal medicine wards: an observational study", published in a past issue of "Internal and Emergency Medicine" [1]. Orthostatic hypotension affects 20% of the elderly population and it is associated with 35% increased risk in all caused mortality [2,3].…”