Evaluation of an automated sphygmomanometer for use in the office setting.

Objective: To determine whether the WatchBP Office sphygmomanometer can be used to obtain automated office blood pressure (AOBP) readings that are similar to the awake ambulatory BP.

Methods: One hundred patients referred for 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring had BP recorded three times using the WatchBP Office fully automated sphygmomanometer in accordance with standard AOBP measurement guidelines. The mean AOBP was compared with the mean awake ambulatory BP.

Results: The mean (± SD) AOBP (138.6 ± 13.7/79.7 ± 9.0 mmHg) was similar to the mean awake ambulatory BP (136.8 ± 12.4/79.0 ± 10.8 mmHg). The small difference in systolic BP (1.8 mmHg) was statistically significant (P=0.03), but was within the accepted range (5 mmHg) recommended by guidelines for equivalence between BP readings. There was a strong correlation (P<0.001) between the systolic/diastolic AOBP and awake ambulatory BP readings (r=0.819/0.801).

Conclusions: The WatchBP Office produces BP readings that closely approximate the awake ambulatory BP, confirming that this automated sphygmomanometer is suitable for recording AOBP in clinical practice.