PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of digoxin use as well as its indications in elderly patients at the time of admission to a geriatric unit of a general hospital. METHODS: One hundred and thirty elderly patients aged 65 and over (mean age = 80±9 years), 100 women and 30 men were consecutively investigated. Each patient was submitted to a thorough clinical investigation, laboratory work-up, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and doppler echocardiogram. The use of digoxin was considered appropriate, questionable or inappropriate. RESULTS: At the time of admission to the geriatric unit 27.6% of the patients were receiving digoxin. The indication was considered appropriate in 36.1%, questionable in 11,1% and inappropriate in 52.7%. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of digoxin use in elderly patients admitted to a geriatric unit of a general hospital. In most cases its indications were considered inappropriate or questionable. Due to the increased risk of digitalis intoxication in this age group the drug should be prescribed under more strict indications.
digoxin; elderly; hospital