Blood pressure distribution in a Hungarian adolescent population: comparison with normal values in the USA.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the blood pressure characteristics and distribution of all adolescent high school students (aged 15-18 years) in Debrecen (total population 230 000), Hungary. To define threshold values for normal blood pressure by age-, sex- and height-specific groups. To compare our data with results from a USA meta-analysis, which forms the basis of current guidelines.


METHODS
All young people attending high school in Debrecen (final sample = 10 359) participated in the study. After they had rested for 10 min, three blood pressure measurements were taken from the right upper arm, separated by 5 min intervals. All measurements were obtained by a validated, automated, digital Omron M4 device.


RESULTS
The 50th, 90th and 95th percentile values of blood pressure were defined by dividing the adolescent population into age-, sex- and height-specific subgroups. In comparison with USA guidelines, in our sample the systolic blood pressure of boys in the different subgroups was 6-11 mmHg greater, whereas this difference was less marked for girls (1-5 mmHg). There were no marked differences in diastolic blood pressure, but our values were slightly lower.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate the influence of geographical and ethnic variations on blood pressure. Acceptance and use of non-population-specific blood pressure distributions may lead to under- or overdiagnosis of adolescent hypertension. The use of geographically more relevant data should be encouraged.
Pàll
Dénes
D
1st Department of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Centre, University of Debrecen, H-4012 Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, Hungary. palld@freemail.hu
Katona
Eva
E
Fülesdi
Béla
B
Zrínyi
Miklós
M
Zatik
Jànos
J
Bereczki
Dàniel
D
Polgàr
Péter
P
Kakuk
György
G
D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001827:Body Height; D003971:Diastole; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013599:Systole; D014481:United States