Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

The effects of caffeine in adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension: a systematic review

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jake Gibbon, Dr James FrithORCiD

Downloads


Licence

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

© 2021, The Author(s).Purpose: To systematically review the evidence base for the effectiveness and safety of caffeine for the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in adults. Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched in January 2021. Original research studies or case reports involving adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension were included if caffeine was an intervention and outcomes included symptoms, blood pressure or adverse effects. Relevant studies were screened and underwent qualitative analysis. Insufficient reporting precluded meta-analysis. Results: Five studies were identified: four crossover studies and one case report summation. Study size ranged from 5 to 16 participants. Participants had neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, with a mean standing systolic blood pressure of 86 mmHg. Two studies evaluated caffeine alone. Three studies administered caffeine in combination with ergotamine. Caffeine dose ranged from 100 to 300 mg. Nature and timing of outcomes measured varied between studies, with measurements being recorded from 30 to 480 min after intervention. Caffeine/ergotamine improved symptoms in one study and reduced orthostatic blood pressure drop in two studies. Caffeine/ergotamine increased seated blood pressure in three studies, whilst the results for caffeine alone were inconsistent. No serious adverse events were reported. All studies demonstrated high risk of bias. Conclusion: Caffeine should only be considered as a treatment for adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension when evidence-based treatments have been exhausted. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42020124589. Date of registration: 30/10/2020


Publication metadata

Author(s): Gibbon JR, Frith J

Publication type: Review

Publication status: Published

Journal: Clinical Autonomic Research

Year: 2021

Volume: 31

Pages: 499-509

Online publication date: 18/06/2021

Acceptance date: 12/06/2021

ISSN (print): 0959-9851

ISSN (electronic): 1619-1560

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-021-00814-5

DOI: 10.1007/s10286-021-00814-5


Share