Comparison of risk of orthostatic hypotension in elderly depressed hypertensive women treated with Nortriptyline and Thiazides versus elderly depressed normotensive women treated with Nortriptyline

This is a nonblind, case-controlled study comparing the risk of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in 2 groups of elderly depressed women: 22 normotensive a nd 21 hypertensive patients receiving thiazides. Blood pressure measurement s and tilt-table tests produced similar results: increased drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP) after standing (p < 0.001), with no significant diffe rences between the groups (p = 0.523). There were no changes on diastolic b lood pressure (DBP) after standing, or in SEP or DBP at rest. Dizziness was reported by 23 subjects (53.5%) before treatment, and by 16 subjects (38.1 %) at week 8. Complaints of dizziness were not associated with OH (Kappa = 0.07).