# Effects of Daily Lifestyle Habits on Non-Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension in Older Adults in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how daily lifestyle habits affect non-neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in older South Koreans, finding lifestyle factors more influential than autonomic nervous system function.

## Contribution

The study identifies lifestyle habits as key modifiable factors influencing non-neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in older adults.

## Key findings

- Nutritional status, sleep quality, physical activity, stress, and depression significantly affect orthostatic hypotension.
- Lifestyle factors explain 40.5% of the variance in orthostatic hypotension severity.
- Autonomic nervous system function, as indicated by catecholamine levels, was not significantly associated with orthostatic hypotension.

## Abstract

Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a chronic, debilitating condition common in older adults. This study examined the effects of daily lifestyle habits on non-neurogenic OH in older adults in South Korea. We further compared the effects of daily lifestyle habits on OH to those of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 217 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years were recruited using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using two questionnaires to assess OH and daily lifestyle habits: OH was measured by Orthostatic Grading Scale (OGS) and lifestyle habits included nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and psychological status (stress and depression levels). Plasma catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) were measured to indicate the ANS function. The data were analyzed using t-tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Significant factors related to OGA score included nutritional status (B = −0.20, p ≤ 0.040), poorer sleep quality (B = 0.15, p = 0.005), physical activity (B = −0.01, p = 0.032), stress (B = 0.04, p = 0.001), and depression (B = 0.23, p = 0.001). These together explained 40.5% of the variance in OH. However, no significant association was found between catecholamines and OGS score. Conclusions: These results suggest that lifestyle habits are important factors, while ANS function may be less associated with non-neurogenic OH. Thus, preventive and non-pharmacological interventions for decreasing OH symptoms should focus on maintaining healthy lifestyle habits in older adults.