Stasis oedema in the elderly: are diuretics necessary?

Diuretic therapy was discontinued in 15 elderly patients. None of these patients had evidence of uncontrolled cardiac failure or hypertension, and they all had received diuretics long-term. Two patients required resumption of diuretics due to the development of cardiac failure or severe leg oedema. In the remaining 13 patients, mean leg volume increased by 8.2%. Discontinuation of diuretic therapy in elderly patients is associated with a small but significant worsening of lower limb oedema.