Effectiveness and safety of chronic diuretic use in older adults: an umbrella review of recently published systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized-controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Healthcare providers should balance the potential risks and benefits of chronic diuretic use, particularly in older adults, as with age, diuretic benefits may decline and risks increase. A comprehensive synthesis and critical evaluation of the available evidence on chronic diuretic treatment effects is currently lacking.

Methods

We conducted an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published since 2018 on health outcomes associated with diuretic use in randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). We conducted random-effects meta-analysis for pooled effect estimates and narratively summarized data that could not be pooled.

Results

We included 741 effect estimations from 117 systematic reviews (SRs) on 1566 RCTs in individuals aged 62 ± 6 years. Of

SUBMITTER: van Poelgeest E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12378697 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature