Digitalis therapy in a 70-year-old population.
In the population study "70-year-old people in Gothenburg" 14% of the probands were found to be undergoing treatment with digitalis, 6% with digoxin, 6% with digitoxin and 2% with other glycosides. A comparison between results of the interview method and those of S-digoxin analyses indicates that the interview method was acceptable. As far as can be judged from S-digoxin analyses, only about 60% of the treated patients were on a dosage considered to be effective and free from obvious risks of side-effects. Out of the 130 70-year-olds who were on digitalis treatment, 37% had obvious symptoms of heart disease requiring such treatment, 34% lacked symptoms of arrhythmia and/or congestive failure but had heart volumes larger than those used as reference values in younger age groups, and 29% had no symptoms indicating digitalis treatment. At least 13% of the population had indications for digitalis therapy and about 75% of those apparently needing digitalis were on such treatment. Thus both over- and underdiagnosis of heart disease requiring digitalis therapy were common in this age group.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors
D004071:Digitalis Glycosides