The effect of alternative criteria for hypertension on estimates of prevalence and control

Abstract

Different criteria to define hypertension can have important effects on the estimates of prevalence and control. Authors need to be explicit concerning the criteria used. Readers should be aware of the risk of overinterpreting results based on criteria that do not reflect their objectives (e.g. using a single visit estimate to determine control of clinically relevant hypertension).

The epidemiology of elevated blood pressure as an estimate for hypertension in Aydın, Turkey

“…Using a single visit estimate to determine control of clinically relevant HT might have led to overestimation of the prevalence of HT. 26 The use of aneroid sphygmomanometers for BP measurements can be another limitation of the study. However, because the accuracy of these sphygmomanometers has been checked by using a closed system designed according to the recommendations of the American Heart Association (AHA) and British Hypertension Society (BHS), they are likely to be reliable, their measurements reproducible within machine and comparable between machines.…”

“…Because different criteria to define HT can have important effects on the estimates of prevalence and control 26 and for the purpose of comparison with other studies, we computed the estimates of prevalence of HT and its control using two different BP cut-off points: as recommended by the JNC V (140 and/or 90 mm Hg) and according to the WHO/ISH criteria mostly used in Europe (160 and/or 95 mm Hg). 1,4 Although few national or regional surveys have been undertaken on the epidemiology of HT in Turkey, the data from these studies indicate some similarities with our results.…”

“…Hypertension prevalence increased progressively with age, from 9% in 18-to 29-year-olds to 70.6% in those 70-79 years of age. Women had a significantly higher prevalence than men (34.1% vs 26.0% respectively). Overall, 57.9% of hypertensive individuals were aware that they had high BP, and 82.1% of aware hypertensives were being treated with antihypertensive medications, but only 19.8% of treated hypertensives were under control (systolic pressure Ͻ140 mm Hg and diastolic pressure Ͻ90 mm Hg).…”

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in an un-industrialised rural population of North India

“…This protocol was followed as previous studies on hypertension and the pilot survey in the rural area have shown that measuring BP pressure on different visits takes into account BP variability of the subjects. 12,13 Weight was recorded on a measuring scale (bathroom scale) using standard methods. The scale was calibrated after every 15 days with a standard beam scale.…”

"Monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial de pacientes com oclusão do ramo da veia central da retina"

“…O uso de uma única medida para determinar a pressão arterial de um paciente resultaria em 20 a 30% de falsos positivos e 1/3 de falsos negativos (Reeves, 1995, Birkett, 1997.…”