title: Blood pressure distribution in a Hungarian adolescent population: comparison with normal values in the USA.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Centre, University of Debrecen, H-4012 Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, Hungary. palld@freemail.hu
authors.forename: Dénes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pàll
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Katona
authors.forename: Béla
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fülesdi
authors.forename: Miklós
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zrínyi
authors.forename: Jànos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zatik
authors.forename: Dàniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bereczki
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Polgàr
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kakuk
mesh_terms: 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