SummaryAn automatic blood pressure recorder (Bosch Tonotest) was evaluated on a subsample of the study population of the Munich Blood Pressure Study I (MBS I). The purpose of this evaluation was to test an automatic device for its usability in screening programs like the Munich Blood Pressure Program (MBP). For all subjects in MBS I three blood pressure measurements were taken using the random-zero sphygmomanometer. For a subsample of subjects, in addition to the three blood pressure measurements with the random-zero sphygmomanometer, two measurements were made, one again with the random-zero sphygmomanometer and one with the automatic device. These last measurements were made in alternating sequence (cross-over design).The automatic device tends to underestimate the systolic blood pressure while the diastolic blood pressure readings agree well. The ability to identify people with high blood pressure was worse for the automatic device. The differences between the automatic device and the random-zero sphygmomanometer in sensitivity, specificity, error rates and their implications for a screening program are discussed.
Modifications to Standard Guidelines and Changes in Blood Pressure Readings: Use of an Automatic Blood Pressure Device
