The effect of perindopril on postural instability in older people with a history of falls—a randomised controlled trial

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors may improve exercise capacity and muscle function in older people but are often thought to increase falls risk. We investigated the effect of perindopril on postural stability in older people with a history of falls. DESIGN: double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled randomised trial. METHODS: we recruited people aged >65 years with at least one fall in the previous year. Participants received 4 mg perindopril or placebo daily for 15 weeks. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in force-plate measured anteroposterior (AP) sway at 15 weeks. Secondary outcomes included other measures of postural sway, limits of stability during maximal forward, right and left leaning, blood pressure, muscle strength, 6-min walk distance and falls. The primary outcome was assessed using two-way ANOVA, adjusted for baseline factors. RESULTS: we randomised 80 participants. Mean age was 78.0 (SD 7.4) years; 60 (75%) were female. About 77/80 (96%) completed the trial. At 15 weeks there were no significant between-group differences in AP sway with eyes open (mean difference 0 mm, 95% CI −8 to 7 mm, P = 0.91) or eyes closed (mean difference 2 mm, 95% CI −7 to 12 mm, P = 0.59); no differences in other measures of postural stability, muscle strength or function. About 16/40 (42%) of patients in each group had orthostatic hypotension at follow-up. The median number (IQR) of falls was 1 (0,4) in the perindopril versus 1 (0,2) in the placebo group (P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: perindopril did not improve postural sway in older people at risk of falls. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ISRCTN58995463