Dataset Information

Is orthostatic hypotension related to falling? A meta-analysis of individual patient data of prospective observational studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

orthostatic hypotension (OH) is one out of many risk factors believed to contribute to an increased fall risk in elderly subjects but it is unclear whether an independent association between OH and falling exists.

Objectives

to perform an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of prospective observational studies investigating the relationship between OH and falling.

Design

MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and the abstracts of annual meetings of selected hypertension societies were searched. Both one-stage (analysing all IPD from all studies simultaneously) and two-stage (analysing IPD per study, and then pooling the results) methods were used, and both logistic and cox regression analyses were performed. The study protocol was published on PROSPERO (2015:CRD42015019178).

Results

from 34 selected abstracts, 6 studies were included. IPD were provided in 1,022 patients from 3 cohorts and were included in the IPD meta-analysis. The one-stage meta-analysis showed a significant relationship between OH and time to first fall incident (hazard ratio (HR) 1.52 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.23-1.88)). No significant relationship between OH and falling was found in the one-stage logistic regression analysis and the two-stage logistic and cox regression analyses.

Conclusions

this IPD meta-analysis of prospective observational studies showed a clear and significant relationship between OH and time to first fall incident. Although the ORs of falling was not significantly different for patients with and without OH, a the cox regression analyses reporting HRs and including time to incident provided more clinically relevant information in present meta-analysis.

SUBMITTER: Hartog LC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6402310 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundOrthostatic hypotension (OH; profound falls in blood pressure when upright) is a common deficit that increases in incidence with age, and may be associated with falling risk. Deficit accumulation results in frailty, regarded as enhanced vulnerability to adverse outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between OH, frailty, falling and mortality in elderly care home residents.MethodsFrom the Minimum Data Set (MDS) document, a frailty index (FI-MDS) was generated from a list of 58 deficits, ranging from 0 (no deficits) to 1.0 (58 deficits). OH was evaluated from beat-to-beat blood pressure and heart rate (finger plethysmography) collected during a 15-min supine-seated orthostatic stress test. Retrospective and prospective falling rates (falls/year) were extracted from facility falls incident reports. All-cause 3-year mortality was determined. Data are reported as mean?±?standard error.ResultsData were obtained from 116 older adults (aged 84.2?±?0.9?years; 44% males) living in two long term care facilities. The mean FI-MDS was 0.36?±?0.01; FI-MDS was correlated with age (r?=?0.277; p?=?0.003). Those who were frail (FI???0.27) had larger Initial (-?17.8?±?4.2 vs -?6.1?±?3.3?mmHg, p?=?0.03) and Consensus (-?22.7?±?4.3 vs -?11.5?±?3.3?mmHg, p?=?0.04) orthostatic reductions in systolic arterial pressure. Frail individuals had higher prospective and retrospective falling rates and higher 3-year mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curves evaluated the ability of FI-MDS alone to predict prospective falls (sensitivity 72%, specificity 36%), Consensus OH (sensitivity 68%, specificity 60%) and 3-year mortality (sensitivity 77%, specificity 49%). Kaplan Meier survival analyses showed significantly higher 3-year mortality in those who were frail compared to the non-frail (p?=?0.005).ConclusionsFrailty can be captured using a frailty index based on MDS data in elderly individuals living in long term care, and is related to susceptibility to orthostatic hypotension, falling risk and 3-year mortality. Use of the MDS to generate a frailty index may represent a simple and convenient risk assessment tool for older adults living in long term care. Older adults who are both frail and have impaired orthostatic blood pressure control have a particularly high risk of falling and should receive tailored management to mitigate this risk.

Project description:BackgroundAlthough intensive blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatment reduces risk for cardiovascular disease, there are concerns that it might cause orthostatic hypotension (OH).PurposeTo examine the effects of intensive BP-lowering treatment on OH in hypertensive adults.Data sourcesMEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception through 7 October 2019, without language restrictions.Study selectionRandomized trials of BP pharmacologic treatment (more intensive BP goal or active agent) that involved more than 500 adults with hypertension or elevated BP and that were 6 months or longer in duration. Trial comparisons were groups assigned to either less intensive BP goals or placebo, and the outcome was measured OH, defined as a decrease of 20 mm Hg or more in systolic BP or 10 mm Hg or more in diastolic BP after changing position from seated to standing.Data extraction2 investigators independently abstracted articles and rated risk of bias.Data synthesis5 trials examined BP treatment goals, and 4 examined active agents versus placebo. Trials examining BP treatment goals included 18 466 participants with 127 882 follow-up visits. Trials were open-label, with minimal heterogeneity of effects across trials. Intensive BP treatment lowered risk for OH (odds ratio, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.86 to 0.99]). Effects did not differ by prerandomization OH (P for interaction = 0.80). In sensitivity analyses that included 4 additional placebo-controlled trials, overall and subgroup findings were unchanged.LimitationsAssessments of OH were done while participants were seated (not supine) and did not include the first minute after standing. Data on falls and syncope were not available.ConclusionIntensive BP-lowering treatment decreases risk for OH. Orthostatic hypotension, before or in the setting of more intensive BP treatment, should not be viewed as a reason to avoid or de-escalate treatment for hypertension.Primary funding sourceNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. (PROSPERO: CRD42020153753).