Tolerability of Antihypertensive Medications: The Influence of Age

INTRODUCTION

Despite high prevalence of hypertension, few studies have analysed the adverse effects (AEs) of antihypertensive medications, especially in older patients.

AIM

To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of antihypertensive-related AEs, focusing on the influence of age on treatment tolerability.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated antihypertensive-related AEs in patients evaluated at the Hypertension Clinic of Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy, between January 2017 and July 2020. Multivariable regression models were generated to analyse variables associated with AEs in the overall sample and in participants ≥75 years.

RESULTS

Among 622 subjects (mean age 64.8 years, 51.4% female), the most frequently reported AEs were calcium-channel blockers (CCB)-related ankle swelling (26.8%) and ACEi-induced cough (15.1%). Ankle swelling was more common in older patients (35.7% vs 22.3%, p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 1.94, 95%CI 1.289-2.912) and was independently associated with Body Mass Index (BMI, adjOR 1.073) and angiotensin-receptor antagonists (adjOR 1.864). The association with BMI was confirmed in older patients (adjOR 1.134). ACEi-induced cough showed similar prevalence in younger and older patients (13.9% vs 15.6%, p = 0.634), being independently associated with female sex (adjOR 2.118), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, adjOR 2.488) and SNRI therapy (adjOR 8.114). The association with GERD was confirmed in older patients (adjOR 3.238).

CONCLUSIONS

CCB-related ankle swelling and ACEi-induced cough represent the most common antihypertensive-related AEs, also at old age. Older patients showed a two-fold increased risk of ankle swelling, that was also independently associated with BMI. ACEi-induced cough had similar prevalence at younger and old ages, being independently associated with GERD.

Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults with hypertension: the HYPER-COG study

Hypertension is a major risk factor for dementia. Yet, the most suitable cognitive screening test for hypertensive patients has yet to be identified. This study investigated cognitive impairment in hypertensive older adults and compared the discriminative ability of the most widely used cognitive screening tests. The study involved hypertensive patients aged 65+ without prior diagnosis of cognitive impairment, from the Hypertension Clinic of Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), MiniCog and Clock Drawing Test (CDT) were administered, using a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment as gold standard. The ROC curve analysis and the paired chi-square test were used to compare the discriminative ability, sensitivity and specificity for cognitive impairment of the different screening instruments. Cognitive impairment was diagnosed in 37% of 94 participants (mean age 76, 55% female), mainly involving attention and executive functions. The MoCA (AUC = 0.746), the MMSE (AUC = 0.689) and the MiniCog (AUC = 0.684) showed similar ability in detecting cognitive impairment, while the CDT had a poorer discriminative capacity (AUC = 0.535). The sensitivity of MoCA (80%) and of MMSE/MiniCog combination (74%) was higher in comparison with MiniCog alone (49%, p = 0.007 and 0.004, respectively), while MiniCog achieved the highest specificity (88%, p < 0.001 vs all). Cognitive impairment was detected in more than one-third of hypertensive older adults without prior diagnosis of dementia. MoCA, MMSE and MiniCog showed similar discriminative ability for cognitive impairment, with MoCa and MMSE showing greater sensitivity and MiniCog the highest specificity.

Low Creatinine Potentially Overestimates Glomerular Filtration Rate in Older Fracture Patients: A Plea for an Extensive Use of Cystatin C?

AIM

Muscle mass is frequently reduced in older patients experiencing injurious falls and may further reduce during hospitalization for bone fracture. In these patients, renal function may be overestimated, because it is usually calculated using serum creatinine, which is strictly related to muscle mass. We evaluated if creatinine levels change during hospitalization in older patients with fracture. We also assessed the role of cystatin C as a more appropriate marker of renal function, comparing estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) according to different formulas based on creatinine and/or cystatin C levels.

METHODS

Patients aged 65+ years, consecutively hospitalized for fracture, were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Creatinine and cystatin C levels were measured at baseline and in the post-operative period; eGFR was calculated using six equations based on creatinine and/or cystatin C.

RESULTS

425 patients were enrolled (mean age 84 years, mean creatinine 0.97 mg/dL, mean cystatin C 1.53 mg/L). Creatinine levels significantly decreased after surgery (p<0.001), while cystatin C remained stable. According to creatinine-based formulas, eGFR was < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² in 29-30% at baseline and only in 17% participants in the post-operative period. Conversely, according to equations including cystatin C, eGFR was < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² in half to three-quarters of the sample at all assessments.

CONCLUSIONS

In older fractured patients, creatinine levels decline during hospital stay and may possibly overestimate renal function, whereas cystatin C remains stable. Whether cystatin C is a more reliable marker of renal function in this specific population should be further investigated.

Renal function and delirium in older fracture patients: different information from different formulas?

OBJECTIVES

the association between renal function and delirium has not been investigated in older fracture patients. Creatinine is frequently low in these subjects, which may influence the association between delirium and renal function as estimated with creatinine-based formulas. Cystatin C could be a more reliable filtration marker in these patients.

AIM

to confirm the association between renal function and delirium in older fracture patients comparing creatinine- and cystatin-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) METHODS: patients aged 65+ requiring surgery for traumatic bone fractures were included. Six equations were used to calculate eGFR, based on serum creatinine and/or cystatin C obtained within 24 h of admission: Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI_cr, CKD-EPI_cys, CKD-EPI_cr-cys) and Berlin Initiative Study equations (BIS-1, BIS-2). Delirium was identified with a chart-based method.

RESULTS

571 patients (mean age 83) were enrolled. Delirium occurred in the 34% and was associated with a lower eGFR regardless of the equation used. In a multivariable model, the association between moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30-60 ml/min/1.73 m²) and delirium remained significant in patients aged 75-84 and only when estimated with cystatin-based or BIS-1 equations. Only dementia was significantly associated with delirium in subjects 85+.

CONCLUSIONS

in older fracture patients, moderate renal impairment was independently associated with delirium only among subjects aged 75-84, when eGFR was estimated with cystatin-based or BIS 1 equations, and not with the most commonly used equations (MDRD, CKD-EPI_cr).