Background: Aim of the study was the evaluation the diagnostic value of self-measurements (SAM) and the possibility of recognising white-coat effect and white-coat hypertension on their base in established primary hypertension with regard to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-ABPM).
Methods: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was taken in 45 men with borderline hypertension (BH) and 49 men with established hypertension (EH), mean age 35 years. On the same day participants took 4 self measurements of blood pressure using aneroid device (7 a.m.,l2 a.m.,6 p.m.,l0 p.m.).
Results: Office blood pressure (LEK) was higher than the mean awake period value from automatic monitoring (day-ABP) and the mean self measured value (SAM) in both groups. The mean value of systolic blood pressure SAM in BH and both systolic and diastolic SAM in EH did not differ significantly from day-ABP. Correlation coefFcients SAM and day-ABP were higher in comparison with the correlation of LEK and day-ABP in EH (0,85 and 0,88 vs 0,65 and 0,67) and in BH (0,74 and 0,85 vs 0,49 and 0,37). 28% of BH group revealed day-ABP < 135/85 mmHg (white-coat hypertension) and 75% of the group with day-ABP < 135/85 mmHg showed also SAM < 135/85 mmHg. In 80% of EH group the white-coat effect diagnosed upon the difference LEK-ABP > 20 mmHg (systolic blood pressure) and/or >10 mmHg (diastolic blood pressure) was also stated basing on the parallel difference LEK-SAM.
Conclusions: 4-time daily self measurements constitute the alternative of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in evaluation the mean value of blood pressure from awake period as well as in diagnosing the white-coat effect and whitecoat hypertension.