title: Nocturnal hypertension defined by fixed cut-off limits is a better predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy than non-dipping.
abstract: The classification of subjects as nocturnal hypertensives in accordance with non-dipping (i.e. systolic blood pressure - BP - fall <10%) is less reproducible as compared to the fixed cut-off limits method (nocturnal BP means >120/70 mm Hg). The present study was carried out to assess if nocturnal hypertension defined by fixed cut-off limits may be a better predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) than to non-dipping. Echocardiography and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed in 223 subjects. Logistic regression showed that nocturnal hypertension defined by fixed cut-off limits was a significant predictor of LVH (OR=11.1, 95%CI=3.0-40.1) whereas non-dipping was not (OR=1.4, 95%CI=0.4-5.5). No interaction was detected (p<.3). These results suggest that the definition of nocturnal hypertension based on fixed cut-off values is a better predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy than non-dipping.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perez-Lloret
authors.forename: Jorge E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Toblli
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Cardinali
authors.forename: Juan Claudio
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Malateste
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milei
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards