Functional status associated with postural dizziness, but not postural hypotension, in older adults: a community-based study

Background Functional status, postural dizziness (PD), and postural hypotension (PH) were important issues in older adults. Only one study on the relationship for the three of them in female was without adjusting some important associated factors. This study was intended to investigate the association of PD and PH with functional status in older people of both genders. Methods Based on a stratified randomized cluster sampling, 1361 subjects ≥ 65 years in the community were recruited from Tainan City, Taiwan, from 2000 to 2001. PH was defined as a decrease in systolic/diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 20/10 mm Hg after 1 or 2 min of standing. PD was defined by a positive response to dizziness-like symptoms after standing up from a supine position. Functional status included the activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Results After adjusting other variables, ADL disability (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.35–2.51) and IADL disability (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.21–2.17) were associated with PD, but not PH. In male and female subgroups, ADL disability (male OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.08–2.67; female OR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.26–3.07) was associated with PD. In male, IADL disability was associated with PD (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.36–3.95). Conclusions Impaired functional status, shown using ADLs or IADLs, was positively associated with PD, but not PH in older adults ≥ 65 years. Clinically, it may be important to evaluate PD in older adults with ADL or IADL disability.