Craig G M
Northampton Health Authority, UK.
Postgrad Med J. 1994 Sep;70(827):638-42. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.70.827.638.
Fifty cases of orthostatic hypotension in the elderly are analysed. Three main modes of presentation were identified: (1) falls or mobility problems; (2) mental confusion or dementia; or (3) predominantly cardiac symptoms. Selected case histories are given to illustrate diagnostic difficulties. Medication was responsible for orthostatic hypotension in 66% of patients and striking examples of polypharmacy were encountered. However, 34% of cases were not iatrogenic. Only 14% of patients had overtly postural symptoms. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose orthostatic hypotension in the elderly and the condition is often overlooked. The paper provides useful diagnostic clues for clinicians.
对50例老年体位性低血压患者进行了分析。确定了三种主要表现形式:(1)跌倒或行动问题;(2)精神错乱或痴呆;或(3)以心脏症状为主。给出了选定的病例史以说明诊断困难。66%的患者体位性低血压是由药物引起的,且发现了多药合用的显著例子。然而,34%的病例并非医源性。只有14%的患者有明显的体位症状。诊断老年患者的体位性低血压需要高度的怀疑指数,而且这种情况常常被忽视。本文为临床医生提供了有用的诊断线索。