Clinic-Based BP Measurement Is Inaccurate for Diagnosing Hypertension

Clinic-Based BP Measurement Is Inaccurate for Diagnosing Hypertension

Por: Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP. Journal Watch, August 11, 2011.

Most clinicians rely on clinic- or home-based measurement of blood pressure (BP) for diagnosing hypertension. However, whether such measurements are accurate is unclear. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 studies that involved 5700 patients, U.K. investigators determined how accurately clinic- and home-based BP measurements diagnosed hypertension; daytime ambulatory BP measurements were the reference standard.