Variability in digital blood pressure measurement and normal sphygmomanometer - A randomized study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is one of the most common comorbidity across the whole world so its true measurement is important for its diagnosis as well as management. For diagnosis of estimating blood pressure (BP), the most common non-invasive modalities are manual mercury sphygmomanometer and digital BP monitor device. Aim and Objective: The objective of the study was to comparative evaluation between normal sphygmomanometer and digital BP instrument in normal healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: The study begins after obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The written consent of the individual was obtained. Persons above 18 years of age, who gave their written consent and receiving antihypertensive treatment, are included in the study. Persons having diabetes, severe hypertension, psychiatric disorders, and smoked before 30 min are excluded from the study. BP is measured according to JNC-8 criteria. The study was a cross-sectional observational study. Results: A total of 102 individuals were analyzed age group accordingly. The data were analyzed by unpaired t-test for comparing BP measured by mercury and digital sphygmomanometer with a significance value set at P < 0.05 as significant. The comparison of each modality was done using an unpaired t-test and P values were found as follows: Systolic BP, P = 0.1856 and diastolic BP, P = 0.891. Conclusion: BP is one of the most common and must necessary medical procedure done in each and every person before any medical and surgical procedure. As there is no significant difference between digital and manual sphygmomanometer, so we can use digital as an alternative option of manual carefully as per need.