RESUMEN
UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to compare the evaluation of blood pressure control in using an automatic blood pressure device (ABPD) and an ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM). METHOD: 41 patients with essential hypertension (HTA) were screened prospectively from April to June 2000 (22 men and 19 female) mean age 63 years old, 2.6 antihypertensive drug per patient). The blood pressure was randomly measure by 2 physicians with an automatic blood pressure device OMRON 705 CP, 3 times. All the patients had a 24 hours ABPM in the month before and after this measure, without change in medication. RESULTS: The mean blood pressure measured was 151/81 mmHg by the first physician, 149/85 mmHg with the physician observer and 131/81 mmHg with the ABPM. The percentage of patient who have an optimal control was significantly less in the ABPD estimation (27% < 140/90 mmHg) than ABPM (Day ABPM < 135/85 mmHg = 51%). In conclusion, the control of hypertension still remains insufficiency even if the utilisation of ABPM may increase the accuracy of that estimation.