Orthostatic Hypotension in Patients with Parkinson Disease

A new analysis suggests that clinicians should test for orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson patients at every clinic visit.

In this study, researchers sought to determine the frequency, evolution, and associated features of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). The study included 185 participants with PD who were initially dopaminergic drug naive and 172 age- and sex-matched controls. OH was diagnosed using consensus-based criteria. Significant OH was defined as mean arterial pressure ≤75 mm Hg in the standing position.

During a mean 7 years of follow-up, OH was more common in PD patients than in controls at all visits. Relative risk in PD patients versus controls was 3.0 at baseline and 4.9 at 7 years. The cumulative prevalence of OH in the PD patients was high (65.4%) and was clinically significant in 29.2%. Antihypotensive drugs…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)