Key result
Orthostatic hypotension was not significantly associated with an increased risk of falls during the hospital stay among older adults (OR 1.34; 95% CI 0.82-2.21; p=0.2494).
Why the study?
The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension among hospitalized older adults on Acute Care of the Elderly units and whether those with orthostatic hypotension experienced falls.
Does orthostatic hypotension increase the risk of falls in hospitalized older adults?
Observational (n=7,745)
No
Does orthostatic hypotension increase the risk of falls in hospitalized older adults?
Odds Ratio: 1.34 (95% CI 0.82–2.21)
p-value: p=0.2494
While orthostatic hypotension is highly prevalent among hospitalized older adults, its presence was not significantly associated with an increased risk of falls during the hospital stay.
OH common on first OVS in hospitalized elderly; link to falls inconclusive and needs prospective confirmation.
The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) among a convenience sample of older adults on two Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) units of the ChristianaCare™ in Delaware. Another aim was to determine if subjects with documented OH experienced falls. Retrospective de-identified data was obtained from electronic medical records for the years 2015 to 2018. Among all patients who had valid first orthostatic vital sign (OVS) readings ( n = 7,745), 39.2% had orthostatic hypotension on the first reading. Among the patients, 42.8% were found to be hypotensive during OVS. Thirty-one (0.9%) of those with OH fell at some point during their stay. The odds ratio for falls in the presence of OH was 1.34 with a 95% confidence interval (0.82, 2.21), but a chi-square test failed to find significance ( p = .2494). The results could not determine if OVS should be mandatory in fall prevention protocols.
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Schell et al. (2021) conducted an observational in Hospitalized older adults (n=7,745). Orthostatic hypotension vs. Absence of orthostatic hypotension was evaluated on Falls during hospital stay (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.82-2.21, p=0.2494). Orthostatic hypotension was not significantly associated with an increased risk of falls during the hospital stay among older adults (OR 1.34; 95% CI 0.82-2.21; p=0.2494).
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