Droxidopa for orthostatic hypotension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The effects of caffeine in adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension: a systematic review

Purpose

To systematically review the evidence base for the effectiveness and safety of caffeine for the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in adults.

Methods

Eight electronic databases were searched in January 2021. Original research studies or case reports involving adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension were included if caffeine was an intervention and outcomes included symptoms, blood pressure or adverse effects. Relevant studies were screened and underwent qualitative analysis. Insufficient reporting precluded meta-analysis.

Results

Five studies were identified: four crossover studies and one case report summation. Study size ranged from 5 to 16 participants. Participants had neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, with a mean standing systolic blood pressure of 86 mmHg. Two studies evaluated caffeine alone. Three studies administered caffeine in combination with ergotamine. Caffeine dose ranged from 100 to 300 mg. Nature and timing of outcomes measured varied between studies, with measurements being recorded from 30 to 480 min after intervention. Caffeine/ergotamine improved symptoms in one study and reduced orthostatic blood pressure drop in two studies. Caffeine/ergotamine increased seated blood pressure in three studies, whilst the results for caffeine alone were inconsistent. No serious adverse events were reported. All studies demonstrated high risk of bias.

Conclusion

Caffeine should only be considered as a treatment for adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension when evidence-based treatments have been exhausted.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO ID: CRD42020124589. Date of registration: 30/10/2020

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10286-021-00814-5.

Clinical presentation and long-term follow-up of dopamine beta hydroxylase deficiency

Dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH) deficiency is an extremely rare autosomal recessive disorder with severe orthostatic hypotension, that can be treated with L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS). We aimed to summarize clinical, biochemical, and genetic data of all world-wide reported patients with DBH-deficiency, and to present detailed new data on long-term follow-up of a relatively large Dutch cohort. We retrospectively describe 10 patients from a Dutch cohort and 15 additional patients from the literature. We identified 25 patients (15 females) from 20 families. Ten patients were diagnosed in the Netherlands. Duration of follow-up of Dutch patients ranged from 1 to 21 years (median 13 years). All patients had severe orthostatic hypotension. Severely decreased or absent (nor)epinephrine, and increased dopamine plasma concentrations were found in 24/25 patients. Impaired kidney function and anemia were present in all Dutch patients, hypomagnesaemia in 5 out of 10. Clinically, all patients responded very well to L-DOPS, with marked reduction of orthostatic complaints. However, orthostatic hypotension remained present, and kidney function, anemia, and hypomagnesaemia only partially improved. Plasma norepinephrine increased and became detectable, while epinephrine remained undetectable in most patients. We confirm the core clinical characteristics of DBH-deficiency and the pathognomonic profile of catecholamines in body fluids. Impaired renal function, anemia, and hypomagnesaemia can be part of the clinical presentation. The subjective response to L-DOPS treatment is excellent and sustained, although the neurotransmitter profile in plasma does not normalize completely. Furthermore, orthostatic hypotension as well as renal function, anemia, and hypomagnesaemia improve only partially.

Orthostatic hypotension: a pragmatic guide to diagnosis and treatment

Topics for DTB review articles are selected by DTB's editorial board to provide concise overviews of medicines and other treatments to help patients get the best care. Articles include a summary of key points and a brief overview for patients. Articles may also have a series of multiple choice CME questions.

Droxidopa as an effective treatment for refractory neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and reflex bradycardia in amyloid light-chain amyloidosis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Droxidopa is an oral treatment for the stepwise treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension from autonomic dysfunction. It has been shown to be useful predominantly with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension secondary to Parkinson's disease, but only a few cases have documented its usefulness in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension due to amyloidosis, which is often severe and refractory. In addition, only one source in the literature reports the concomitant use of midodrine and droxidopa for such patients. Finally, we argue that droxidopa seems to have a protective effect against episodes of reflex bradycardia, which is not previously reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 64-year-old white man was admitted for 1 year of worsening syncopal episodes, diarrhea, failure to thrive, heart failure, and neuropathy. Medical emergencies were called five times on the overhead hospital intercom over a 4-day period in the beginning of his admission due to severe hypotension and bradycardia. He was eventually diagnosed as having amyloid light-chain amyloidosis and myeloma. After starting droxidopa, both his systolic blood pressure and reflex bradycardia improved, and no more medical emergency events were called during the remaining 30 days of admission. He felt much better subjectively and was able to sit upright and engage in physical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

We show that droxidopa is effective when used with midodrine to treat refractory neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in patients with amyloidosis. There are very few cases reporting the use of droxidopa in amyloidosis, with only one study that uses droxidopa and midodrine concomitantly. In addition, our patient's reflex bradycardia improved drastically after starting droxidopa, which we believe is mediated by increased systemic norepinephrine. There were no side effects to droxidopa, and the benefits lasted well beyond the reported duration of 1-2 weeks that was noted to be a limitation in some studies.

Diagnosis and Management of Autonomic Dysfunction in Dementia Syndromes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Autonomic dysfunction is common in dementia, particularly in the Lewy body dementias. This review considers the evidence for autonomic dysfunction in dementia, common symptoms and potential management options.

RECENT FINDINGS

Autonomic dysfunction has been shown in Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementias. Common symptoms include orthostatic dizziness, syncope, falls, urinary tract symptoms and constipation. Non-pharmacological management of orthostatic hypotension should include bolus water drinking. Pharmacological management may include the use of midodrine or droxidopa although the latter is not available in Europe. Atomoxetine is a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor which may be useful if further clinical trials become available. Management of constipation may include the use o f probiotics, osmotic laxatives such as macrogol and chloride type 2 channel activators such as lubiprostone. Management of urinary tract symptoms may include the use of mirabegron. There is a dearth of clinical trials for autonomic dysfunction in dementia and most of the evidence is imputed from trials in Parkinson's disease. However, pragmatic recommendations may be made. There is a need for controlled clinical trials in people with dementia.

Standing and Supine Blood Pressure Outcomes Associated With Droxidopa and Midodrine in Patients With Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension: A Bayesian Meta-analysis and Mixed Treatment Comparison of Randomized Trials

BACKGROUND

The comparative effects of droxidopa and midodrine on standing systolic blood pressure (sSBP) and risk of supine hypertension in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a Bayesian mixed-treatment comparison meta-analysis of droxidopa and midodrine in the treatment of NOH.

METHODS

The PubMed, CENTRAL, and EMBASE databases were searched up to November 16, 2016. Study selection consisted of randomized trials comparing droxidopa or midodrine with placebo and reporting on changes in sSBP and supine hypertension events. Data were pooled to perform a comparison among interventions in a Bayesian fixed-effects model using vague priors and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation with Gibbs sampling, calculating pooled mean changes in sSBP and risk ratios (RRs) for supine hypertension with associated 95% credible intervals (CrIs).

RESULTS

Six studies (4 administering droxidopa and 2 administering midodrine) enrolling a total of 783 patients were included for analysis. The mean change from baseline in sSBP was significantly greater for both drugs when compared with placebo (droxidopa 6.2 mm Hg [95% CrI = 2.4-10] and midodrine 17 mm Hg [95% CrI = 11.4-23]). Comparative analysis revealed a significant credible difference between droxidopa and midodrine. The RR for supine hypertension was significantly greater for midodrine, but not droxidopa, when compared with placebo (droxidopa RR = 1.4 [95% CrI = 0.7-2.7] and midodrine RR = 5.1 [95% CrI = 1.6-24]). Conclusion and Relevance: In patients with NOH, both droxidopa and midodrine significantly increase sSBP, the latter to a greater extent. However, midodrine, but not droxidopa, significantly increases risk of supine hypertension.

Clinical Update on Nursing Home Medicine: 2016

This is the tenth clinical update. It covers chronic kidney disease, dementia, hypotension, polypharmacy, rapid geriatric assessment, and transitional care.

Effectiveness of droxidopa compared to midodrine in standing blood pressure and orthostatic tolerance in adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension: a systematic review protocol

REVIEW QUESTION

The question of this review is: what is the effectiveness of droxidopa compared to midodrine on standing blood pressure and orthostatic intolerance symptoms in adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension?

New Horizons in orthostatic hypotension

Background

orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common disabling condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Much of the evidence available is derived from younger populations with chronic neurological disease leading to uncertainty for the diagnosis and management of older people.

Objective

to provide an overview of recent and emerging evidence for the diagnosis, management and prognosis of OH in older persons.

Methods

a narrative review of recent studies, emerging therapies and relevant regulatory updates.

Findings

revisions to the diagnostic criteria for OH include the duration of the blood pressure drop, specific criteria for initial and delayed OH and OH with hypertension. Non-drug therapies remain the first-line treatment option and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment appears to result in lower rates of OH. Recent evidence concerning withdrawal of causative medication is inconsistent. Midodrine has recently become the only licenced medication for OH in the UK. Other emerging treatments include atomoxetine and droxidopa but these require further evaluation. Many other agents may be used but are not supported by high-quality evidence. The increase in mortality associated with OH is less apparent in older people.

Summary

OH remains common in older people, the new diagnostic criteria address some of the previous uncertainty but evidence concerning withdrawal of antihypertensives is conflicting. Midodrine is now the only licenced medication for OH in the UK, but non-drug therapies remain first line and fludrocortisone may be considered before midodrine. We may see other agents such as droxidopa becoming increasingly used over the coming years.