Abstract Body: Background
Standardized measurement of blood pressure in both clinical and home settings is essential for the accurate diagnosis of hypertension and for the implementation of adequate therapy.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the discrepancies between measurements taken in a clinical setting and those obtained through home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) using an automated device in a real-world setting in Brazil.
Methods
This was a multicenter, prospective, observational, real-world evidence study Consecutive adult participants without an established diagnosis of hypertension or use of antihypertensive medications were recruited over a 12-month period across Brazil. All included participants underwent in-office BP measurement followed by HBPM using a validated device (HEM-7156T, Omron) for automated data collection and transmission to a specialized platform over four consecutive days. The classification of BP levels followed the Brazilian Society of Cardiology guidelines recommendations. The 4-day mean HBPM value for each participant was computed and compared with in-office BP using a chi-square test Results are presented as proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results
Of 3,279 screened individuals, 1,229 met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. The mean age was 56.8 ± 16 years, 60.7% were female, 39.9% had a BMI ≥25 and <30 kg/m2.
Regarding blood pressure classification, 36.1% (95% CI 28.6% to 33.8%) of the patients were classified as normotensive according to office measurements and 56.1% (95% CI 53.3% to 58.9%) with HPBM measurements, resulting in a misclassification rate of 31.2%. A total of 63.9% (95% CI 61.2% to 66.6%) of patients were classified as hypertensive (elevated BP to grade 3 hypertension, systolic hypertension or diastolic hypertension) based on office BP levels, whereas 43.9% (95% CI 41.1% to 46.7%) were classified as hypertensive according to the HBPM. All differences between groups were statistically significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusions
Among a real-world sample of individuals managed in cardiology practices in Brazil, we found relevant discrepancies between office and HBPM BP measurements. These findings highlight the importance of using out-of-office BP measurements, such as HBPM devices, along with office measurements, to accurately differentiate between hypertension and normotension phenotypes, avoiding misdiagnosis based solely on office BP measurements.