[What is the most relevant definition of orthostatic hypotension: systolic blood pressure drop, diastolic blood pressure drop, or both?].

UNLABELLED: The agreed definition of orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a drop of 20 mmHg systolic and/or 10 mmHg diastolic blood pressure (BP) within the first 3 min of erect posture. For elderly people, a question can be raised about diastolic BP relevance in OH's definition.

OBJECTIVE: To determinate HO's prevalence and risks factors considering systolic blood pressure (SBP)'s drop, or diastolic blood pressure (DBP)'s drop, or either.

METHODS: We assessed OH for 554 consecutive, ambulatory, elderly subjects, attending a geriatric outpatient clinic. OH was defined as a SBP drop>20mmHg (SBP-OH), or a DBP drop>10 mmHg (DBP-OH), or a drop in either (SBP. DBP-OH). OH's prevalence and risks factors were determined.

RESULTS: In this population, 76 +/- 6 years of age, (70% hypertension), SBP-OH's prevalence was 17%, DBP-OH's prevalence was 12% and SBP. DBP-OH's prevalence was 25%. OH's risks factors varied considering OH's definition. After adjusting for significant determinants, SBP-OH's risk factors were: Antihypertensive therapy (OR=2.95; IC 95%: 1.21-4.04), age>75years (OR=2.11; IC 95%: 1.22-3.66), anti-hypertensive poly therapy (OR=2.01; IC 95%: 1.39-2.92) and SBP level (OR=1.16; IC 95%: 1.01-1.33). Considering DBP-OH, the only significant risk factor was DBP's level (OR=2.64; IC 95%: 1.89-3.68). SBP. DBP-OH was only determined by anti-hypertensive poly therapy (OR=1.61; IC 95%: 1.13-2.29) and DPB level (OR=1.32; IC 95%: 1.08-1.60).

CONCLUSION: For elderly people, OH's prevalence and risks factors vary considering OH's definition. SBP's drop seems to be more relevant than DBP's drop. A long term follow up is necessary to determine if SBP-OH is correlated with HO' s side effects and to establish the dangerous level of SBP' s drop.