title: Postprandial hypotension: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is an important clinical problem, which has received inappropriately little attention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of the databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Knowledge, from their inception to the present time, was conducted to identify studies relevant to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and/or management of PPH.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 417 full-text papers were retrieved from database searching and, following screening, 248 were retained. Of these, 167 papers were considered eligible for inclusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PPH occurs commonly in older people and represents a major cause of morbidity. Although the pathophysiology of PPH remains poorly defined, diverse factors, including impairments in sympathetic and baroreflex function, release of vasodilatory peptides, the rate of small intestinal nutrient delivery, gastric distension, and splanchnic blood pooling, appear important. Current pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management is suboptimal. Research into the pathophysiology of PPH represents a priority so that management can be targeted more effectively.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia; NHMRC Center of Research Excellence in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Laurence G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Trahair
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia; NHMRC Center of Research Excellence in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia; NHMRC Center of Research Excellence in Translating Nutritional Science to Good Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. Electronic address: karen.jones@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology; D004032:Diet; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D009569:Nitric Oxide
keywords: PPH; Postprandial hypotension; blood pressure; fainting; falls