Clinical Edge

Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions

Are Automated Office BP Readings More Accurate?

JAMA Intern Med; ePub 2019 Feb 4; Roerecke, et al

Automated office blood pressure (AOBP) readings are more accurate than office BP readings in routine clinical practice for identifying patients with possible hypertension, a new study found. The systematic review and meta-analysis examined the association between AOBP and office BP readings measured in routine clinical practice and in research studies, and ambulatory BP recorded during awake hours. Among the findings:

  • Data were compiled from 31 articles and 9,279 participants (4,736 men and 4,543 women).
  • In samples with systolic AOBP of ≥130 mm Hg, routine office and research systolic BP readings were substantially higher than AOPB readings.
  • Systolic awake ambulatory BP and AOBP readings were similar.
  • Mean AOBP did not exhibit any white coat effect.

Citation:

Roerecke M, Kaczorowski J, Myers MG. Comparing automated office blood pressure readings with other methods of blood pressure measurement for identifying patients with possible hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [Published online ahead of print February 4, 2019]. JAMA Intern Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.6551.