Validation of the Microlife WatchBP Home device for self home blood pressure measurement according to the International Protocol.
OBJECTIVE
Current guidelines recommend that self monitoring of blood pressure at home should only be performed using validated devices. This study assessed the accuracy of the Microlife WatchBP Home device for self home blood pressure measurement according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol.


METHODS
Thirty-three participants were included (15 in phase 1 and an additional 18 in phase 2). Simultaneous blood pressure measurements were taken by two observers (Y-tube-connected mercury sphygmomanometers) four times sequentially, with three measurements taken using the tested device. Absolute differences between observer and device measurements were classified into three zones (within 5, 10 and 15 mmHg). The number of measurements with a difference within 5 mmHg was calculated for each individual.


RESULTS
In phase 1, the device produced 38, 43 and 43 measurements within 5, 10 and 15 mmHg, respectively, for systolic blood pressure and 35, 45 and 45 for diastolic blood pressure. In phase 2.1, the device produced 75, 91 and 97 measurements within 5, 10 and 15 mmHg for systolic, and 74, 93 and 99 for diastolic blood pressure. In phase 2.2, 30 participants had at least two of their differences within 5 mmHg and two participants had no differences within 5 mmHg for systolic blood pressure, whereas for diastolic blood pressure the number of participants were 27 and three, respectively. Mean difference for systolic blood pressure was -0.3+/-5.6 mmHg and for diastolic -2.4+/-4.8 mmHg.


CONCLUSIONS
The Microlife WatchBP Home device for self home blood pressure measurement fulfills all the validation criteria of the International Protocol and can, therefore, be recommended for clinical use in the adult population.
Stergiou
George S
GS
Hypertension Center, Third University Department of Medicine, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece. gstergi@med.uoa.gr
Giovas
Periklis P
PP
Gkinos
Charilaos P
CP
Patouras
John D
JD
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D019722:Sphygmomanometers