Evaluation of White Coat Office Hypertension By Using 24-Hours Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Healthy Young Adults in Lahore, Pakistan; A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the white coat office hypertension by using 24-hours ambulatory blood pressure
monitoring in healthy young adults in Lahore, Pakistan
Material and Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study with non-probability convenience
sampling conducted at the for six months from 11-06-2021 to 11-12-2021, among healthy adults meeting the
selection criteria (>18 years), with Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) recordings taken using
an oscillometric portable monitor. Office blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken using a validated
electronic sphygmomanometer and a standard cuff in a quiet environment. Participants rested briefly before
the cuff was inflated. BP was measured multiple times during clinic visits, with the average taken if
significant differences were found. Data was analyzed using SPSS 24.0 software, with a p-value less than
0.05 considered significant.
Results: Out of 112 patients, the average age was 28.85±3.157 years. BMI, systolic office blood pressure,
diastolic office blood pressure, systolic ambulatory blood pressure, and diastolic ambulatory blood pressure
2
distributions were calculated as 27.24±3.720 kg/m , 111.43±9.164 mmHg, 79.36±6.888 mmHg, 122.56±10.273
mmHg, and 73.72±5.401 mmHg, respectively. Out of 112 cases, 49 (43.8%) were males and 63 (56.3%) were
females. The prevalence of smoking was 15 (13.4%), whereas obesity was 35 (31.3%). The mean office systolic
and diastolic blood pressure were compared with ABP and indicated (p=0.606) and (p=0.338), respectively.
Conclusion: The study found that healthy young adults have average ambulatory blood pressure and office
BP, suggesting that the use of Ambulatory Blood Pressure (ABP) monitoring is likely to increase in adolescents
and young adults for various purposes, including detecting hypertension, assessing antihypertensive drug
effectiveness, and analyzing disease risks.
Keywords: Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring, Hypertension, Office Blood Pressure