@article{ref1,
title="Ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring, antihypertensive therapy and the risk of fall injuries in elderly hypertensive patients",
journal="Journal of geriatric cardiology",
year="2018",
author="Jonas, Michael and Kazarski, Rasisa and Chernin, Gil",
volume="15",
number="4",
pages="284-289",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Fall injuries are common among the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate whether blood-pressure patterns, as measured by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), or intensification of antihypertensive therapy following the 24-h ABPM, may be associated with fall injuries in hypertensive elderly patients. <br><br>METHODS: In a retrospective study, community-based elderly patients (age ≥ 70 years) who were referred to 24-h ABPM were evaluated for fall injuries within one-year post-ABPM. We compared the clinical characteristics, 24-h ABPM patterns and the intensification of hypertensive therapy following 24-h ABPM, between patients with and without a fall injury. <br><br>RESULTS: Overall 1032 hypertensive elderly patients were evaluated. Fifty-five (5.3%) had a fall injury episode in the year following ABPM. Patients with a fall injury were significantly older, and with higher rates of previous falls. Lower 24-h diastolic blood-pressure (67.3 ± 7.6 <i>vs</i>. 70.7 ± 8.8 mmHg; <i>P</i> < 0.005) and increased pulse-pressure (74.7 ± 14.3 <i>vs.</i> 68.3 ± 13.7 mmHg; <i>P</i> < 0.005), were found in the patients with a fall injury, compared to those without a fall injury. After adjustment for age, gender, diabetes mellitus and previous falls, lower diastolic blood-pressure and increased pulse-pressure were independent predictors of fall injury. Intensification of antihypertensive treatment following the 24-h ABPM was not associated with an increased rate of fall injury. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Low diastolic blood-pressure and increased pulse-pressure in 24-h ABPM were associated with an increased risk of fall injury in elderly hypertensive patients. Intensification of antihypertensive treatment following 24-h ABPM was not associated with an increased risk of fall injury.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1671-5411",
doi="10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2018.04.007",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2018.04.007"
}