[Prevalence of white-coat hypertension and masked hypertension in the general population, through home blood pressure measurement].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of white-coat hypertension (WCH) and masked hypertension (MH) in the general population, by means of home blood pressure measurement (HBPM).


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive study.


METHODS
Four primary care centres.


METHODS
A sample of 1400 individuals over 18 years old, selected from the Municipal Register of Inhabitants (Huelva, Spain) and randomised and stratified by age and gender.


METHODS
Two blood pressure (BP) measurements in clinic (CBP) and 12 measurements in a week of BP by HBPM were performed (OMRON 705-CP). Pressure was seen as normal when CBP means were <140/90 mm Hg and HBPM was <135/85 mm Hg. WCH was defined as when CBP was >140/90 mm Hg and HBPM <135/85 mm Hg, and hypertension when CBP was >140 mm Hg and HBPM >135/85 mm Hg or patients were in treatment for hypertension. MH was when CBP was <140/90 mm Hg and at home was >135 mm Hg and/or 85 mm Hg.


RESULTS
A total of 1153 individuals (82.35% of the sample) with mean age of 45.4 (SD, 16.1) were included: 560 men and 593 women. The prevalence of MH was 8.9% (CI+/-1.6) in the general population and 9.8% (CI+/-3.2) in individuals with hypertension. WCH prevalence was 3.6% (CI+/-1.05) overall and 12.8% (CI+/-3.6) in hypertense patients, with its prevalence increasing steadily as age groups rose (P = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of WCH in the general population is low, whereas the prevalence of MH is high.
Márquez Contreras
Emilio
E
Centro de Salud La Orden, Huelva, España. emarquezc@papps.org
Casado Martínez
José Joaquín
JJ
Pardo Alvarez
Jesús
J
Vázquez
Ignacio
I
Guevara
Begoña
B
Rodríguez
José
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology