title: Telemonitoring of blood pressure self measurement in the OLMETEL study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring in previous uncontrolled hypertensives treated with olmesartan medoxomil in a clinical practice setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 53) with untreated, uncontrolled or insufficiently treated hypertension were selected by physicians to receive olmesartan medoxomil 10-40 mg/day for 12 weeks. Office BP values were determined by a physician at baseline and after 12 weeks' treatment; BP self-measurement (BPSM) was conducted throughout the 12-week treatment period using a TensioPhone TP2 telemonitoring device; BP values were stored and automatically downloaded to a remote service centre via standard telephone lines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Olmesartan medoxomil produced statistically significant reductions from baseline in both systolic and diastolic office BP and BPSM values. In contrast to office BP, telemonitoring of BPSM allowed the early identification of responders (e.g., after 2-3 weeks' treatment). Blood pressure reduction with olmesartan medoxomil was greater for office BP than for BPSM values. Normalization of BP was achieved in 64.2% of the patients using office BP measurement compared with 36.4% using BPSM. Blood pressure self-measurement showed no significant difference between morning and evening BP measurements or between the morning : evening BP ratio at baseline and after nine weeks of olmesartan medoxomil treatment. Compliance and tolerability were good or very good in most patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a 'real-life' clinical practice setting, telemonitoring of BPSM was an effective technique that was partially affected by patient non-compliance. Olmesartan medoxomil provided effective and reliable BP-lowering, which was maintained throughout the 24-hour period.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Poliklinik, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. mengden@uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mengden
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ewald
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: vor dem Esche
authors.forename: Sakir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uen
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vetter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil; D012648:Self Care; D017216:Telemedicine; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil