Diuretic use in an ambulatory elderly population.

The nature and extent of diuretic use and the effect of diuretics on clinical laboratory values were studied in a retirement community. Study participants completed health questionnaires and provided information on all prescription and nonprescription medications regularly used. Subjects using diuretics were categorized according to product(s) used; a control group used no diuretics. Results for diuretic users who used potassium supplements were analyzed separately. Data were collected on 2009 women and 1183 men over 65 years old. At least one diuretic drug was used by 40.2% of the women and 29.5% of the men. In most cases, the diuretic was used daily (81.1%) and had been used for longer than two years (72.5%). Approximately one third of the subjects had hypertension. Serum potassium values for users of chlorthalidone and thiazide diuretics showed the greatest difference from the control group, while users of the combination of hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone showed the greatest difference in serum sodium concentrations. Particularly in furosemide users, uric acid, BUN, and creatinine concentrations were significantly different from control. When serum potassium values of subjects using both diuretics and potassium supplements were analyzed, values were lower in participants using supplements. In many cases, significantly different laboratory values were still within normal limits. Long-term diuretic use in this ambulatory elderly population was high and was associated with numerous alterations in biochemical values.