title: Differences in blood pressure measurements obtained using an automatic oscillometric sphygmomanometer depending on clothes-wearing status.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to the current guidelines for blood pressure monitoring, clinicians are recommended to measure blood pressure by completely exposing the upper arm. However, it is a common practice that blood pressure is measured with the cuff placed over the sleeve or with the sleeve rolled up. We therefore conducted this study to examine whether there are any differences in blood pressure measurements among the three different settings: the sleeve group, the rolled sleeve group, and the bare arm group.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted the current study in 141 male and female adult patients who visited our clinical department. In these patients, we took repeatedly blood pressure measurements using the same automatic oscillometric device on three different settings. Then, we analyzed the results with the use of randomized block design analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) between the first reading and those of the second reading were 128.5 ± 10.6 mm Hg in the sleeve group, 128.3 ± 10.8 mm Hg in the rolled sleeve group, and 128.3 ± 10.7 mm Hg in the bare arm group. These results indicate that there were no significant differences among the three groups (P = 0.32). In addition, the mean values of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between the first reading and those of the second reading were 80.7 ± 6.1 mm Hg in the sleeve group, 80.7 ± 6.1 mm Hg in the rolled sleeve group, and 80.6 ± 5.9 mm Hg in the bare arm group. These results indicate that there were no significant differences among the three groups (P = 0.77). In addition, based on the age, sex, past or current history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus, the thickness of sleeve, weight, a drinking history, and a smoking history, there were no significant differences in SBP and DBP among the three groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were no significant differences in blood pressure measurements between the three different settings (the sleeve group, the rolled sleeve group, and the bare arm group).
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Gangneung, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ki
authors.forename: Mi Kyeong
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Soo Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Blood Pressure Determination; Clothing; Hypertension
references.citation: BMJ. 2004 Mar 13;328(7440):634-40
references.pmid: 15016698
references.citation: Can J Cardiol. 2010 May;26(5):241-8
references.pmid: 20485688
references.citation: Circulation. 2005 Feb 8;111(5):697-716
references.pmid: 15699287
references.citation: Arch Intern Med. 1984 Jul;144(7):1482-5
references.pmid: 6732409
references.citation: CMAJ. 2008 Feb 26;178(5):585-9
references.pmid: 18299548
references.citation: J Hypertens Suppl. 1989 Dec;7(6):S60-1
references.pmid: 2632745
references.citation: J Gen Intern Med. 1993 Jun;8(6):325-6
references.pmid: 8320577
references.citation: Fam Pract. 2003 Dec;20(6):730-2
references.pmid: 14701900
references.citation: J Hypertens. 1989 Aug;7(8):607-13
references.pmid: 2681407
references.citation: Blood Press. 2004;13(5):279-82
references.pmid: 15545150
references.citation: Neth J Med. 2003 Oct;61(10):307-12
references.pmid: 14708907
references.citation: Cardiopulm Phys Ther J. 2011 Jun;22(2):5-12
references.pmid: 21637392
references.citation: Hypertension. 1994 Dec;24(6):786-92
references.pmid: 7995638
references.citation: Clin Sci. 1967 Apr;32(2):223-37
references.pmid: 6022817
references.citation: J Hypertens. 2003 May;21(5):821-48
references.pmid: 12714851