Age and the difference between awake ambulatory blood pressure and office blood pressure: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) (ABP) is a better predictor of adverse cardiovascular events than office BP (OBP). Owing to the extensive literature on the 'white coat effect', it is widely believed that ABP tends to be lower than OBP, with statements to this effect in Joint National Committee VII. However, recent evidence suggests that the difference varies systematically with age.

Methods

We searched PubMed to identify population studies, published before April 2009, which assessed OBP and either ABP or home BP (HBP). On account of significant heterogeneity in the outcomes, random effect models were used for the meta-analyses.

Results

OBP increased with age more steeply than awake ABP. OBP became higher than awake systolic/diastolic ABP at the age of 51.3/

SUBMITTER: Ishikawa J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3839085 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature