Hipertensos Tratados e Avaliados por Telemonitoramento Residencial da Pressão Arterial. Estudo TeleMRPA / Treated Hypertensive Patients Assessed by Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring. TeleMRPA Study

Resumo Fundamento: Hipertensos tratados avaliados apenas com a medida casual da pressão arterial (PA) podem estar sujeitos a decisões equivocadas. Objetivos: Avaliar o comportamento da PA pela medida casual e residencial (MRPA), o comportamento das classes de anti-hipertensivos e as prevalências de hipertensão do avental branco (HABNC) e mascarada não-controladas (HMNC). Métodos: Estudo transversal que avaliou pacientes pela plataforma TeleMRPA entre 2017 e 2019. Foram excluídos aqueles sem medicamentos, com 3 ou mais, em uso de espironolactona e alfa-2 agonistas. As variáveis analisadas foram: idade, sexo, índice de massa corporal (IMC), número de medidas válidas da PA, médias da PA sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) pela medida casual e MRPA, e as classes de anti-hipertensivos. Utilizados os testes t pareado e não pareado e qui-quadrado. Adotado nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Selecionados 22.446 pacientes, dos quais 6.731 preencheram os critérios, sendo 61,3% do sexo feminino, com idade média de 57,8 (±12,6) anos e IMC médio de 29,0 (±5,1) kg/m2. Os valores médios de PAS e PAD foram 6,6 mmHg (p<0,001) e 4,4 mmHg (p<0,001) maiores na medida casual que na MRPA. As taxas de controle da PA foram de 57,0% pela medida casual e 61,3% pela MRPA (p<0,001), com prevalência de HABNC e HMNC de 15,4% e 11,1%, respectivamente. O bloqueio do sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona ocorreu em 74,6% das vezes e 54,8% estavam em monoterapia. Conclusões: O uso da MRPA deve ser considerado no acompanhamento de hipertensos tratados em virtude das elevadas prevalências de HABNC e HMNC. Os anti-hipertensivos tiveram comportamentos distintos nas medidas domiciliares. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background: Hypertensive patients undergoing treatment and assessed only by casual blood pressure (BP) measurement may be subject to mistaken decisions. Objective: To assess BP behavior by measuring its levels at the office (casual) and at home (HBPM), the behavior of different classes of antihypertensive drugs, and the prevalence of uncontrolled white-coat hypertension (UCWCH) and uncontrolled masked hypertension (UCMH). Methods: Cross-sectional study assessing patients who underwent BP monitoring in the TeleMRPA platform between 2017 and 2019. The exclusion criteria were: use of no antihypertensive drug; combined use of 3 or more antihypertensive drugs; and use of spironolactone and alpha-2 agonist. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), number of valid BP measurements, means of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively) obtained from HBPM and casual measurement, and the classes of antihypertensive drugs. Paired and unpaired t tests, as well as chi-square test, were used. The 5% significance level was adopted. Results: This study selected 22 446 patients, 6731 of whom met the inclusion criteria [61.3%, female sex; mean age, 57.8 (±12.6) years; mean BMI, 29.0 (±5.1) kg/m2]. Mean SBP and DBP were 6.6 mm Hg (p<0.001) and 4.4 mm Hg (p<0.001) higher in casual measurement than in HBPM. The rates of BP control were 57.0% in casual measurement and 61.3% in HBPM (p<0.001), and the prevalence of UCWCH and UCMH was 15.4% and 11.1%, respectively. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade was observed in 74.6% of the patients, and 54.8% were on single-drug therapy. Conclusions: HBPM should be considered for the follow-up of treated hypertensive patients because of the high prevalence of UCWCH and UCMH. Antihypertensive drugs behaved differently in HBPM. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

White-coat hypertension detected during opportunistic blood pressure screening in a dental healthcare setting.

OBJECTIVE: To study white-coat hypertension (WCHT, blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg in a clinic and normal blood pressure <135/85 mmHg at home), with blood pressure screening of a healthy population during their dental healthcare visit and the associated risk factors. DESIGN: A multicentre observational study. SETTING: A healthy general population at four dental clinics in a region in southern Sweden. SUBJECTS: 2025 individuals aged 40-75 years were screened for high blood pressure at their annual regular check-up dental visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequencies of normal and elevated blood pressure (BP) in dental clinics, with home BP as a reference. According to BP results, the population was divided into three groups: normotension (NT), WCHT and suspected hypertension (HT). Background and life style factors were measured: sex, age, family history of hypertension, body mass index (BMI kg/m2), education level, tobacco use, and physical activity level. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of WCHT in the study was 17.7%, and the prevalence was 57.2% among those with clinically high blood pressure. Compared with NT, WCHT was associated with male sex (OR 1.56, CI 1.18-2.06), older age group (OR 2.33, CI 1.66-3.26), family history of hypertension (OR 1.61, CI 1.24-2.10), high BMI kg/m2 (OR 2.36, CI 1.80-3.10), daily snuff use (OR 1.74, CI 1.19-2.53). In comparison with WCHT, HT was associated with male sex (OR 2.16, CI 1.44-3.25), older age group (OR 2.85, CI 1.75-4.65), daily smoking (OR 2.10, CI 1.14-3.85), less daily snuff use (OR 0.59, CI 0.34-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of WCHT in a healthy population was 17.7%. Regarding cardiovascular risk factors, WCHT seems to be in the middle of NT and HT. Individuals with WCHT can be identified and given lifestyle advice in connection with a dental check-up, but follow-up and assessment of their cardiovascular risk should take place in primary care.Key pointsScreening in dental practice can detect white-coat hypertension (WCHT) (17.7%) and suspected hypertension (HT) (12.4%).Individuals with WCHT have more cardiovascular risk factors than normotensive individuals.Individuals with WCHT could be given lifestyle advice in dental clinics according to current guidelines.

White-coat and masked hypertension diagnoses in chronic kidney disease patients.

The purpose of this study was to analyze which 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) parameters should be used on masked hypertension (MH) and white-coat hypertension (WCH) diagnoses in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Non-dialysis CKD patients underwent 24-hour ABPM examination between 01/27/2004 and 02/16/2012. They were followed from the 24-hour ABPM to January/2014 in an observational study. The WCH definitions tested were as follows: (a) office blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140/90 mm Hg and daytime ABPM BP ≤ 135/85 mm Hg (old criterion); and (b) office BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg and 24-hour ABPM BP ≤ 130/80 mm Hg, daytime ABPM BP ≤ 135/85 mm Hg, and nighttime ABPM BP ≤ 120/70 mm Hg (new criterion). The MH definitions tested were as follows: (a) office BP < 140/90 mm Hg and daytime ABPM BP > 135/85 mm Hg (old criterion); and (b) office BP < 140/90 mm Hg and 24-hour ABPM BP > 130/80 mm Hg or daytime ABPM BP > 135/85 mm Hg or nighttime ABPM BP > 120/70 mm Hg (new criterion). The two definitions' predictive capacity was compared, regarding both WCH and MH. Cardiovascular mortality was the primary and all-cause mortality was the secondary outcome. Cox regression was adjusted to the variables: glomerular filtration rate, age, diabetes mellitus, and active smoking. There were 367 patients studied. The old criterion (exclusive mean daytime ABPM BP) was the only to distinguish sustained hypertension from WCH (adjusted HR: 3.730; 95% CI: 1.068-13.029; P = .039), regarding all-cause mortality. Additionally, the old criterion was the only one to distinguish normotension and MH, regarding cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR: 7.641; 95% CI: 1.277-45.738; P = .026). Therefore, WCH and MH definitions based exclusively on daytime ABPM BP values (old criterion) were able to better distinguish mortality in this studied CKD cohort.

White-coat hypertension and incident end-stage renal disease in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease: results from the C-STRIDE Study.

BACKGROUND: Controversy remains whether white coat hypertension (WCH) is associated with renal prognosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: In the present multicenter, prospective study, we analyzed data of participants with CKD stage 1-4 from the Chinese Cohort Study of Chronic Kidney Disease (C-STRIDE). WCH was defined according to two criteria as follows: A, clinical blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140/90 mm Hg and average 24-h ambulatory BP < 130/80 mm Hg; B, clinical BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg and daytime ambulatory BP < 130/80 mm Hg. Renal outcome was defined as initiation of renal replacement therapy. The association of WCH with renal events was evaluated by Cox regression model. RESULTS: A total of 1714 patients with CKD were included in the present analysis. The mean age of the population was 48.9 ± 13.8 years and 56.8% were men. The mean baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 52.2 ± 30.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 and urinary protein was 1.0 (0.4, 2.4) g/day. The overall prevalence of WCH was 4.7% and 16.6% according to criteria A and B, respectively. Incidence rates of renal events were 49.58 and 26.51 according to criteria A and B, respectively, per 1000 person-years during a median follow-up of 4.8 years. After full adjustment, WCH was associated with an increased risk of renal event (criterion A: hazard ratio 2.36, 95% confidence interval 1.29-4.34; for criterion B: hazard ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.04-3.49) compared with patients with normal BP. CONCLUSIONS: WCH is associated with a greater risk for renal events in non-dialysis dependent Chinese patients with CKD.

Prevalence of Masked and White-Coat Hypertension in Pre-Hypertensive and Stage 1 Hypertensive patients with the use of TeleMRPA / Prevalência de Hipertensão Mascarada e do Avental Branco em Pré-Hipertensos e Hipertensos Estágio 1 com o uso da TeleMRPA

Abstract Background: The diagnosis of arterial hypertension based on measurements of blood pressure in the office has low accuracy. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of masked hypertension (MH) and white-coat hypertension through home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) in pre-hypertensive and stage 1 hypertensive patients. Method: Retrospective study, of which sample consisted of individuals with BP ≥ 120/80 mmHg and < 160/100 mmHg at the medical office without the use of antihypertensive medication and who underwent exams on the HBPM platform by telemedicine (TeleMRPA) between May 2017 and September 2018. The four-day MRPA protocol was used, with 24 measurements, using automated, validated, calibrated equipment with a memory function. Results: The sample consisted of 1,273 participants, of which 739 (58.1%) were women. The mean age was 52.4 ± 14.9 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 28.4 ± 5.1 kg/m2. The casual BP was higher than the HBPM in 7.6 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 5.2 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), both with statistical significance (p < 0.001). There were 558 (43.8%) normotensive individuals; 291 (22.9%) with sustained hypertension; 145 (11.4%) with MH and 279 (21.9%) with white-coat hypertension (WCH), with a diagnostic error by casual BP in the total sample in 424 (33.3%) patients. In stage 1 hypertensive individuals, the prevalence of WCH was 48.9%; in prehypertensive patients, the prevalence of MH was 20.6%. Conclusion: MH and WCH have a high prevalence rate in the adult population; however, in prehypertensive or stage 1 hypertensive patients, the prevalence is higher. Out-of-office BP measurements in these subgroups should be performed whenever possible to prevent misdiagnosis.

Resumo Fundamento: O diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial baseado nas medidas do consultório tem baixa acurácia. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de hipertensão mascarada (HM) e do avental branco pela monitorização residencial da pressão arterial (MRPA) em pacientes pré-hipertensos e hipertensos estágio. Método: Estudo retrospectivo com amostra constituída de indivíduos com pressão arterial (PA) na clínica ≥ 120/80 mmHg e < 160/100 mmHg sem uso de medicação anti-hipertensiva e que realizaram exames na plataforma de MRPA por telemedicina (TeleMRPA) entre maio de 2017 e setembro de 2018. Foi utilizado o protocolo MRPA de quatro dias, com 24 medidas, com equipamentos automáticos, validados, calibrados e com memória. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída de 1.273 participantes, sendo 739 (58,1%) mulheres. A idade média foi 52,4 ± 14,9 anos, índice de massa corporal (IMC) médio 28,4 ± 5,1 kg/m2. A PA casual foi maior que a MRPA em 7,6 mmHg para pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e 5,2 mmHg para a pressão arterial diastólica (PAD), ambas com significância estatística (p < 0,001). Foram diagnosticados 558 (43,8%) normotensos; 291 (22,9%) hipertensos sustentados; 145 (11,4%) com HM e 279 (21,9%) com hipertensão do avental branco (HAB), com erro diagnóstico pela PA casual na amostra total em 424 (33,3%) pacientes. Em hipertensos estágio 1, a prevalência de HAB foi de 48,9%; nos pré-hipertensos a prevalência de HM foi de 20,6%. Conclusão: HM e HAB têm elevada prevalência na população adulta; entretanto, na população de pré-hipertensos ou hipertensos estágio 1 a prevalência é maior. Medidas da PA fora do consultório, nestes subgrupos, devem ser realizadas sempre que possível para evitar erro diagnóstico.

Conventional and Ambulatory Blood Pressure as Predictors of Diastolic Left Ventricular Function in a Flemish Population.

BACKGROUND: No longitudinal study compared associations of echocardiographic indexes of diastolic left ventricular function studies with conventional (CBP) and daytime ambulatory (ABP) blood pressure in the general population. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 780 Flemish (mean age, 50.2 years; 51.7% women), we measured left atrial volume index (LAVI), peak velocities of the transmitral blood flow (E) and mitral annular movement (e') in early diastole and E/e' 9.6 years (median) after CBP and ABP. In adjusted models including CBP and ABP, we expressed associations per 10/5-mm Hg systolic/diastolic blood pressure increments. LAVI and E/e' were 0.65/0.40 mL/m2 and 0.17/0.09 greater with higher systolic/diastolic ABP (P≤0.028), but not with higher baseline CBP (P≥0.086). e' was lower (P≤0.032) with higher diastolic CBP (-0.09 cm/s) and ABP (-0.19 cm/s). When we substituted baseline CBP by CBP recorded concurrently with echocardiography, LAVI and E/e' remained 0.45/0.38 mL/m2 and 0.15/0.08 greater with baseline ABP (P≤0.036), while LAVI (+0.53 mL/m2) and E/e' (+0.19) were also greater (P<0.001) in relation to concurrent systolic CBP. In categorized analyses of baseline data, sustained hypertension or masked hypertension compared with normotension or white-coat hypertension was associated with greater LAVI (24.0 versus 22.6 mL/m2) and E/e' (7.35 versus 6.91) and lower e' (10.7 versus 11.6 cm/s; P≤0.006 for all) with no differences (P≥0.092) between normotension and white-coat hypertension or between masked hypertension and sustained hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: ABP is a long-term predictor of diastolic left ventricular function, statistically outperforming distant but not concurrent CBP. Masked hypertension and sustained hypertension carry equal risk for deterioration of diastolic left ventricular function.

Prevalence and clinical outcomes of white-coat and masked hypertension: Analysis of a large ambulatory blood pressure database.

The aim of this study was to analyze prevalence and clinical outcomes of the following clinical conditions: normotension (NT; clinic BP < 140/90 mm Hg; 24-hour BP < 130/80 mm Hg), white-coat hypertension (WCHT; clinic BP ≥ 140 and/or ≥90 mm Hg; 24-hour BP < 130/80 mm Hg), masked hypertension (MHT; clinic BP < 140/90 mm Hg; 24-hour BP ≥ 130 and/or ≥80 mm Hg), and sustained hypertension (SHT; clinic BP ≥ 140 and/or ≥90 mm Hg; 24-hour BP ≥ 130 and/or ≥80 mm Hg) in a large cohort of adult untreated individuals. Systematic research throughout the medical database of Regione Lazio (Italy) was performed to estimate incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and hospitalizations for HT and heart failure (HF). Among a total study sample of 2209 outpatients, 377 (17.1%) had NT, 351 (15.9%) had WCHT, 149 (6.7%) had MHT, and 1332 had (60.3%) SHT. During an average follow-up of 120.1 ± 73.9 months, WCHT was associated with increased risk of hospitalization for HT (OR 95% CI: 1.927 [1.233-3.013]; P = .04) and HF (OR 95% CI: 3.449 [1.321-9.007]; P = .011). MHT was associated with an increased risk of MI (OR 95% CI: 5.062 [2.218-11.550]; P < .001), hospitalization for HT (OR 95% CI: 2.553 [1.446-4.508]; P = .001), and for HF (OR 95% CI: 4.214 [1.449-12.249]; P = .008). These effects remained statistically significant event after corrections for confounding factors including age, BMI, gender, smoking, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, and presence of antihypertensive therapies.

Hypertension types defined by clinic and ambulatory blood pressure in 14 143 patients referred to hypertension clinics worldwide. Data from the ARTEMIS study.

OBJECTIVE: The Ambulatory blood pressure Registry TEleMonitoring of hypertension and cardiovascular rISk project was designed to set up an international registry including clinic blood pressure (CBP) and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) measurements in patients attending hypertension clinics in all five continents, aiming to assess different daily life hypertension types. METHODS: Cross-sectional ABP, CBP and demographic data, medical history and cardiovascular risk profile were provided from existing databases by hypertension clinics. Hypertension types were evaluated considering CBP (≥140/90 mmHg) and 24-h ABP (≥130/80 mmHg). RESULTS: Overall, 14 143 patients from 27 countries across all five continents were analyzed (Europe 73%, Africa 3%, America 9%, Asia 14% and Australia 2%). Mean age was 57 ±â€Š14 years, men 51%, treated for hypertension 46%, cardiovascular disease 14%, people with diabetes 14%, dyslipidemia 33% and smokers 19%. The prevalence of hypertension was higher by CBP than by ABP monitoring (72 vs. 60%, P < 0.0001). Sustained hypertension (elevated CBP and ABP) was detected in 49% of patients. White-coat hypertension (WCH, elevated CBP with normal ABP) was more common than masked hypertension (elevated ABP with normal CBP) (23 vs. 10%; P < 0.0001). Sustained hypertension was more common in Europe and America and in elderly, men, obese patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. WCH was less common in Australia, America and Africa, and more common in elderly, obese women. Masked hypertension was more common in Asia and in men with diabetes. Smoking was a determinant for sustained hypertension and masked hypertension. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed an unbalanced distribution of WCH and masked hypertension patterns among different continents, suggesting an interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and likely also different healthcare administrative and practice patterns.

Predictors of the Home-Clinic Blood Pressure Difference: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients may have lower (white coat hypertension) or higher (masked hypertension) blood pressure (BP) at home compared to the clinic, resulting in misdiagnosis and suboptimal management of hypertension. This study aimed to systematically review the literature and establish the most important predictors of the home-clinic BP difference. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using a MEDLINE search strategy, adapted for use in 6 literature databases. Studies examining factors that predict the home-clinic BP difference were included in the review. Odds ratios (ORs) describing the association between patient characteristics and white coat or masked hypertension were extracted and entered into a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 3,743 articles of which 70 were eligible for this review. Studies examined a total of 86,167 patients (47% female) and reported a total of 60 significant predictors of the home-clinic BP difference. Masked hypertension was associated with male sex (OR 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-1.75), body mass index (BMI, per kg/m(2) increase, OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.14), current smoking status (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.13-1.50), and systolic clinic BP (per mm Hg increase, OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.19). Female sex was the only significant predictor of white coat hypertension (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.64-6.96). CONCLUSIONS: There are a number of common patient characteristics that predict the home-clinic BP difference, in particular for people with masked hypertension. There is scope to incorporate such predictors into a clinical prediction tool which could be used to identify those patients displaying a significant masked or white coat effect in routine clinical practice.

Parity as a factor affecting the white-coat effect in pregnant women: the BOSHI study.

Parity has previously been reported to affect the difference in blood pressure (BP) measured in the office and at home, also known as the white-coat effect, during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to identify possible factors that cause the white-coat effect during pregnancy, focusing on parity. In total, 530 pregnant women (31.3±4.7 years old) who delivered at a maternal clinic were eligible for the study. The association between parity and the white-coat effect (clinic BP compared with home BP) was investigated for each trimester of pregnancy by multivariate analysis of covariance adjusted for age, body mass index, family history of hypertension and smoking habits. The magnitudes of the white-coat effect for systolic BP in the first, second and third trimesters were 4.1±9.8, 3.4±7.1 and 1.8±6.0 mm Hg, respectively and those for diastolic BP were 3.8±7.4, 1.6±5.8 and 2.4±4.9 mm Hg, respectively. Parity was significantly and negatively associated with the white-coat effect for systolic BP in the first trimester of pregnancy (nulliparous women: 5.07±0.61 mm Hg and multiparous women: 2.78±0.74 mm Hg, P=0.02) as well as for diastolic BP in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Age, body mass index, family history of hypertension and smoking were not significantly associated with the white-coat effect in any trimester of pregnancy. Parity may have an influence on the white-coat effect in pregnancy; however, the observed effect, on average 1-2 mm Hg, was small.

[White-coat hypertension and masked hypertension]. / Hypertenze bílého pláste a maskovaná hypertenze.

White-coat hypertension (WCH) is very common: it is present in about one third of subjects with high office blood pressure (BP). A typical patient is a non-smoking female at higher age. Prognostic data are not very reliable because most patients are treated on the basis of elevated office BP; some long-term studies have shown that cardiovascular (CV) risk is increased compared to normotensives. The opposite disorder is masked hypertension (MH). Its prevalence in population-based studies is 13 %. MH is common in males, typically aged between 30 and 50 years, smokers with unfavorable risk profile, and it is also frequent in diabetics. The risk of future cardiovascular events is close to that of sustained hypertensives. It is important to search for MH actively, therefore, we should recommend home BP measurements also to those subjects whose office BP is normal. We do not have any prospective data about treatment of either WCH or MH. In subjects with low CV risk, only nonpharmacologic treatment may be initiated - in this case, however, the patient must be followed closely including out-of-office BP measurements; in those subjects where other CV risk factors and/or target organ damage are present, drug treatment should be considered, but as we have no evidence, only empirical approach is possible.Key words: ambulatory blood pressure monitoring - diagnosis - masked hypertension - prognosis - treatment - white-coat hypertension.

Diagnostic and predictive accuracy of blood pressure screening methods with consideration of rescreening intervals: a systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

BACKGROUND: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the largest contributing risk factor to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. PURPOSE: To update a systematic review on the benefits and harms of screening for high BP in adults and to summarize evidence on rescreening intervals and diagnostic and predictive accuracy of different BP methods for cardiovascular events. DATA SOURCES: Selected databases searched through 24 February 2014. STUDY SELECTION: Fair- and good-quality trials and diagnostic accuracy and cohort studies conducted in adults and published in English. DATA EXTRACTION: One investigator abstracted data, and a second checked for accuracy. Study quality was dual-reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) predicted long-term cardiovascular outcomes independently of office BP (hazard ratio range, 1.28 to 1.40, in 11 studies). Across 27 studies, 35% to 95% of persons with an elevated BP at screening remained hypertensive after nonoffice confirmatory testing. Cardiovascular outcomes in persons who were normotensive after confirmatory testing (isolated clinic hypertension) were similar to outcomes in those who were normotensive at screening. In 40 studies, hypertension incidence after rescreening varied considerably at each yearly interval up to 6 years. Intrastudy comparisons showed at least 2-fold higher incidence in older adults, those with high-normal BP, overweight and obese persons, and African Americans. LIMITATION: Few diagnostic accuracy studies of office BP methods and protocols in untreated adults. CONCLUSION: Evidence supports ABPM as the reference standard for confirming elevated office BP screening results to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment of persons with isolated clinic hypertension. Persons with BP in the high-normal range, older persons, those with an above-normal body mass index, and African Americans are at higher risk for hypertension on rescreening within 6 years than are persons without these risk factors. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

White-coat hypertension.

1. Numerous studies have examined whether white-coat hypertension (WCHT) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but with definitions of WCHT that were not sufficiently robust, results have been inconsistent. The aim of the present review was to standardize the evidence by only including studies that used a definition of WCHT consistent with international guidelines. 2. Published studies were reviewed for data on vascular dysfunction, target organ damage, risk of future sustained hypertension and cardiovascular events. 3. White-coat hypertension has a population prevalence of approximately 15% and is associated with non-smoking and slightly elevated clinic blood pressure. Compared with normotensives, subjects with WCHT are at increased cardiovascular risk due to a higher prevalence of glucose dysregulation, increased left ventricular mass index and increased risk of future diabetes and hypertension. 4. In conclusion, management of a patient with WCHT should focus on cardiovascular risk factors, particularly glucose intolerance, not blood pressure alone.

Characteristics of white coat hypertension in Chinese Han patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: This study documented the prevalence and clinical features of white coat hypertension (WCH) among Chinese Han patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Clinic and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements were compared in 856 patients with T2DM to determine the frequency of WCH (WCH was defined as clinical blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg and daytime blood pressure <135/85 mmHg and/or 24-h ambulatory BP (ABP) mean value of <130/80 mmHg on ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Weight, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), waist to height ratio (WHtR), fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin level and circadian BP patterns were also measured to find clinical features predictive of WCH in T2DM. RESULTS: The prevalence of WCH was 7.36% (63/856) in the overall population, 6.13% (29/473) in male and 8.88% (34/383) in female (p < 0.05). WCH accounted for 14.03% (63/449) of diagnosed hypertension. Age, course of T2DM, male WC were independent protective factors, whereas female sex, smoking and alcohol consumption were independent risk factors for WCH in T2DM. Non-dippers and reverse dippers made up larger proportion of the WCH group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: WCH is relatively common among T2DM patients, it is a unique condition distinct from essential hypertension (EH), and WCH patients also exhibit significant differences in clinical parameters.

Home blood pressure monitoring in an anaesthetic pre-admission clinic.

We suspected that many high blood pressure measurements taken in our anaesthetic pre-assessment clinic and immediately prior to induction of anaesthesia were unusually elevated due to a 'white coat' effect. These high blood pressure measurements were causing late cancellations of surgery, even though white coat measurements may not be representative of the patient's usual blood pressure or of their risk of end-organ damage due to hypertension. In this audit, patients with high blood pressure in our pre-admission clinic were provided with training and a home blood pressure monitor to use prior to surgery. These were compared to the pre-admission clinic measurements to determine the incidence of white coat hypertension. We also compared home to general practice blood pressure monitoring where possible. Fifty-two patients were provided with monitors. Fifty-one of these took at least five measurements at home. Thirty-four (66%) patients had average measurements at home at least 20 mmHg lower than pre-admission clinic measurements. A total of 33% of general practice clinic measurements were also ≥ 20 mmHg higher than average home measurements. White coat hypertension was common in our audit population. Relying on average home blood pressure measurements rather than 'one off' in-hospital measurements may have helped to prevent the postponement or cancellation of surgery for 13 patients who had recorded blood pressure ≥ 180/110 mmHg in our pre-admission clinic.

Hypertension in adolescence is not an independent risk factor for renal cancer: a cohort study of 918,965 males.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension has been repeatedly linked to renal cell cancer, independent of overweight and anti-hypertensive drug use, but its role remains unclear, especially within the growing group of relatively young-middle aged renal cancer patients. In order to delineate the role of hypertension in early onset renal cancer, we examined the association of blood pressure measured at age 17 with the incidence of renal cancer. METHODS: Sociodemographic and medical data of 918,965 adolescent males examined for fitness for military service from 1967 to 2005 were linked to the National Cancer Registry in this nationwide population-based cohort study (12,910,585 person years) to obtain cancer incidence. A single measurement of blood pressure at age 17 was stratified as optimal (<120/80), normal (≥ 120/80 < 130/85), high normal (≥ 130/85 < 140/90), or high (≥ 140/90). We used Cox proportional hazards modeling to estimate the hazard ratio of the blood pressure categories for renal cancer, adjusted for year of birth, body mass index, origin of parents, and height. We also assessed the role of a clinical diagnosis of persistent hypertension (n = 4223, based on multiple measurements). RESULTS: Of those who had their blood pressure recorded, 90 examinees developed renal cancer. In a multivariable model, the higher categories of blood pressure were associated with a decreased risk of renal cancer (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.84; P = .021 for blood pressure ≥ 140/90 vs < 120/80). Furthermore, there was no evidence of increased risk for those with an established diagnosis of hypertension (hazard ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-9.50; P = .81). CONCLUSIONS: It is unlikely that hypertension in adolescents carries an increased risk for renal cancer.

Is white coat hypertension a concern in Mohs micrographic surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To examine white coat hypertension (WCHTN) in patients presenting for Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) to determine whether it should be a concern. METHODS: In this prospective study, blood pressure (BP) was recorded in 100 consecutive patients who presented for MMS consultation and a subsequent MMS procedure, and compared on both days. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student t test and the significance of the findings was determined based on the corresponding P values. Progression from normotensive to hypertensive state while the doctor was in the room was stratified based on the patient's age, gender, and histories of smoking, hypertension (HTN), diabetes, and hyperlipidemia; as well as whether the doctor was wearing a white lab coat over blue surgical scrubs (50 patients) or blue surgical scrubs alone (50 patients). RESULTS: BP increased from baseline when the doctor entered the room and then decreased towards baseline after five minutes of the doctor being present. Elevation in BP was more evident in younger people, males, and those with HTN and hyperlipidemia. BP was slightly higher on the day of the consultation than on the day of the procedure. A higher number of patients became hypertensive when the doctor wore a white lab coat over blue surgical scrubs vs blue surgical scrubs alone. However, these changes in BP did not prove to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Brief periods of WCHTN were seen on both days. However, these elevations in BP were not statistically significant and decreased towards baseline after five minutes. There were no cases in which elevation in BP associated with WCHTN was sufficient to result in the need to postpone or cancel MMS.

Pre-anesthesia systolic blood pressure increases with age regardless of sex.

PURPOSE: Pre-anesthesia hypertension (PAH) is the temporary elevation of blood pressure (BP), compared with normal ambulatory recorded BP or self-measured BP at home, in patients waiting for operation in the operating room (OR) before anesthesia induction. In general, the incidence of sustained hypertension (SH) increases progressively with age and the increase is greater in males than in females. In this study, we investigated the influence of age and sex on PAH. METHODS: Sampling data on consecutive patients who were more than 20 years old and who had undergone surgery under general, intrathecal, or epidural anesthesia were retrospectively collected from hospital records and anesthesia records. Patients with SH, which was defined as a past history of hypertension and taking oral antihypertensive medications, were excluded from the analyses, and the data of 231 patients, 102 males and 129 females, were used for the analyses. RESULTS: The proportions of male and female patients with a systolic BP (sBP) of more than 140 mmHg in the OR before anesthesia induction were 55.9 and 42.6%, respectively. The proportions of male and female patients with a diastolic BP (dBP) of more than 90 mmHg were 34.3 and 23.3%, respectively. There was no difference in the proportions of male and female patients with PAH. The differences in sBP between measurements in the hospital room (HR) before the operation and those in the OR (ΔsBP) in males and females were 22.9 ± 25.6 and 19.0 ± 24.0 mmHg, respectively. The differences in dBP between measurements in the HR and those in the OR (ΔdBP) in males and females were 12.7 ± 16.5 and 8.4 ± 17.9 mmHg, respectively. There were no differences in ΔsBP and ΔdBP between males and females. The sBP in the OR and the ΔsBP increased significantly with age in both males and females. CONCLUSION: Age is an important clinical factor related to PAH. Pre-anesthesia sBP and the change in pre-anesthesia sBP increase progressively with age regardless of sex. These findings suggest that the higher BP seen in the elderly in the OR before anesthesia induction, as reported previously, might be explained in part by a greater impact of PAH in older people.