@article {van Haterene696, author = {Kornelis JJ van Hateren and Nanne Kleefstra and Marco H Blanker and Lielith J Ubink-Veltmaat and Klaas H Groenier and Sebastiaan T Houweling and Adriaan M Kamper and Klaas van der Meer and Henk JG Bilo}, title = {Orthostatic hypotension, diabetes, and falling in older patients: a cross-sectional study}, volume = {62}, number = {603}, pages = {e696--e702}, year = {2012}, doi = {10.3399/bjgp12X656838}, publisher = {Royal College of General Practitioners}, abstract = {Background Although orthostatic hypotension (OH) is more prevalent in old age, and in patients with diabetes, the prevalence of OH in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is unknown.Aim To establish the prevalence of OH, and its association with falling, in home-dwelling older participants with and without type 2 diabetes.Design and setting A cross-sectional study in primary care in the Netherlands.Method A total of 352 patients with type 2 diabetes, and 211 without participated in this study. OH was defined as a fall in blood pressure of at least 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic after either 1 or 3 minutes in an upright position. Feelings of dizziness, light-headedness, or faintness during the standing period were documented as orthostatic complaints. Fall risk was assessed with a validated risk profile instrument.Results The prevalence of OH was 28\% (95\% CI = 24\% to 33\%) and 18\% (95\% CI = 13\% to 23\%) in participants with and without type 2 diabetes, respectively. OH was not related to falling, while the presence of orthostatic complaints in itself was associated with both previous fall incidents as well as a high fall risk, even after adjustment for OH. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.65 (95\% CI = 1.00 to 2.72) and 8.21 (95\% CI = 4.17 to 16.19), respectively.Conclusion OH is highly prevalent in home-dwelling older people with and without type 2 diabetes. Those with orthostatic complaints had an increased risk for falling, whereas those with OH were not.}, issn = {0960-1643}, URL = {https://bjgp.org/content/62/603/e696}, eprint = {https://bjgp.org/content/62/603/e696.full.pdf}, journal = {British Journal of General Practice} }