EVALUATION OF DIGOXIN LEVELS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS IN A TRAINING HOSPITAL: AN 11-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Abstract

Introduction: Digoxin monitoring is important in the elderly because of thetoxicity risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the orders made by different unitsfor digoxin monitoring in the elderly.Materials and Method: Digoxin orders and results in patients aged over 65,patients’ demographic characteristics, such as age and gender, the unit from whichthe order was made, and patients’ pre-diagnoses were retrospectively recorded.Patients were divided into young-old, middle-old, and very-old groups, and theresults were divided into subtherapeutic, therapeutic, and toxic levels.Results: The percentage of young-old, middle-old, and very-old patients was39.4%, 45.3%, and 15.3%, respectively. Women were more (64.3%) and their medianage and digoxin concentrations were higher (p