[Use of digitalis in elderly patients admitted to a geriatric unit at a general hospital].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of digoxin use as well as its indications in elderly patients at the time of admission to a geriatric unit of a general hospital.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty elderly patients aged 65 and over (mean age = 80 +/- 9 years), 100 women and 30 men were consecutively investigated. Each patient was submitted to a thorough clinical investigation, laboratory work-up, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and doppler echocardiogram. The use of digoxin was considered appropriate, questionable or inappropriate.


RESULTS
At the time of admission to the geriatric unit 27.6% of the patients were receiving digoxin. The indication was considered appropriate in 36.1%, questionable in 11.1% and inappropriate in 52.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
We found a high prevalence of digoxin use in elderly patients admitted to a geriatric unit of a general hospital. In most cases its indications were considered inappropriate or questionable. Due to the increased risk of digitalis intoxication in this age group the drug should be prescribed under more strict indications.
Cunha
U G
UG
Hospital Governador Israel Pinheiro (Instituto de Previdência dos Servidores do Estado de Minas Gerais-IPSEMG), Belo Horizonte.
Barbosa
M T
MT
Paradela
E M
EM
Carvalho
F G
FG
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004077:Digoxin