Nocturnal blood pressure measurement: can it be predicted by self-monitoring and is 24-hr BP monitoring clinically important in the treatment of hypertension.
We predict that 24-hour blood pressure data will be required prior to starting treatment in order to receive third-party payment. We are currently performing a cost benefit analysis in patients with mild to moderate hypertension to see the prevalence of inappropriate treatment of hypertension (diagnosed by normal 24-hour BP results) in an outpatient clinic population. We will compare the cost of treating that segment of the population that is inappropriately on treatment to the cost of 24-hour BP monitoring for the entire study population. As a result of this type of analysis, health care payors may require 24-hour BP documentation prior to hypertension treatment for all cases of mild to moderate hypertension.
Rosansky
S J
SJ
University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, USA.
Menachery
S J
SJ
Johnson
K L
KL
Hutchinson
C T
CT
Jackson
K
K
Gleissner
J E
JE
D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D013995:Time