US Pharm. 2015;40(11):11.
Ann Arbor, MI—In elderly patients, very low blood pressure and sugar levels can result in confusion, dizziness, falls, and death. Despite recent recommendations to deintensify treatment of hypertension and diabetes in elderly patients, especially those with other conditions limiting their life expectancy, few providers are doing so. In a review of records of patients aged >70 years and a survey of primary care providers, University of Michigan and VA Healthcare System researchers found that dosage changes were made in only one in four of nearly 400,000 patients in whom blood pressure or blood sugar medications could have been decreased. Additionally, many providers were concerned that deintensifying treatment in such patients would cause patient harm or were worried about their legal liability.
To comment on this article, contact rdavidson@uspharmacist.com.
