[Somu's formula in the diagnosis of hypertension in Spanish children and adolescents].
OBJECTIVE
Several formulae for the diagnosis of hypertension in children and adolescents have recently been published. We analyzed the usefulness of the formulae as a tool for the diagnosis of hypertension.


METHODS
Concordance analysis between formula's predicted values for 95 percentile values in Spanish reference charts (RICARDIN study) for each age and sex and its diagnostic efficiency in the diagnosis of hypertension.


RESULTS
Concordance values between pairs were: systolic blood pressure (SBP) 6 to 17 years 0.87 (95% CI, 0.73-0.94; p < 0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 6-10 years 0.89 (95% CI, 0.63-0.97; p < 0.0001), and DBP 11-17 years 0.54 (95% CI, 0.03-0.82; p < 0.05). Taking the formula's predicted value as a cut point, area under ROC values were: SBP 0.929 (95% CI, 0.895-0.962), DBP 6-10 years 0.8 (95% CI, 0.663-0.937) and DBP 11-17 years 0.518 (95% CI, 0.394-0.642).


CONCLUSIONS
An adecuate concordance was obtained. However, the application of the formulae to Spanish children and adolescents leads to several false positive results for SBP and false negative results for DBP, mainly in children over 11-years-old. Alternative formulae based on data obtained in Spanish children and adolescents are proposed.
Díaz
Juan José
JJ
Centro de Salud de Trevías. Valdés (Area Sanitaria I). Asturias. Spain. jjdiaz@telecable.es
Rey Galán
Corsino
C
Málaga Guerrero
Serafín
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D012372:ROC Curve; D013030:Spain