title: [Orthostatic hypotension: 2nd part. Epidemiology, complications and treatments].
abstract: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a rather common phenomenon in clinical practice. It may occur in 5-10 % of normal individuals, but its prevalence increases with age and various pathologies, so that it may rise above 35 % in certain subgroups of patients. OH is associated with various comorbidities, in particular cardio-cerebro-vascular accidents and falls (especially in the elderly), and may even increase mortality. It is, however, difficult to determine whether OH is simply a marker of frailty or whether it is really a risk factor. OH treatment involves physical manoeuvres or medications, which aim at inducing a peripheral vasoconstriction (midodrine, etilefrine) or an increase of circulating blood volume (9-alpha-fluohydrocortisone). However, their use should be cautious, because of a risk of arterial hypertension in supine position.
authors.affiliation: Universite de Liege, CHU de Liege, Belgique.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tyberghein
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Philips
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Krzesinski
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Scheen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy