White-coat hypertension detected during opportunistic blood pressure screening in a dental healthcare setting

• Objective To study white-coat hypertension (WCHT, blood pressure >= 140/90 mmHg in a clinic and normal blood pressure <135/85 mmHg at home), with blood pressure screening of a healthy population during their dental healthcare visit and the associated risk factors. Design A multicentre observational study. Setting A healthy general population at four dental clinics in a region in southern Sweden. Subjects 2025 individuals aged 40-75 years were screened for high blood pressure at their annual regular check-up dental visit. Main outcome measures Frequencies of normal and elevated blood pressure (BP) in dental clinics, with home BP as a reference. According to BP results, the population was divided into three groups: normotension (NT), WCHT and suspected hypertension (HT). Background and life style factors were measured: sex, age, family history of hypertension, body mass index (BMI kg/m(2)), education level, tobacco use, and physical activity level. Results The overall prevalence of WCHT in the study was 17.7%, and the prevalence was 57.2% among those with clinically high blood pressure. Compared with NT, WCHT was associated with male sex (OR 1.56, CI 1.18-2.06), older age group (OR 2.33, CI 1.66-3.26), family history of hypertension (OR 1.61, CI 1.24-2.10), high BMI kg/m(2) (OR 2.36, CI 1.80-3.10), daily snuff use (OR 1.74, CI 1.19-2.53). In comparison with WCHT, HT was associated with male sex (OR 2.16, CI 1.44-3.25), older age group (OR 2.85, CI 1.75-4.65), daily smoking (OR 2.10, CI 1.14-3.85), less daily snuff use (OR 0.59, CI 0.34-0.99). Conclusions The prevalence of WCHT in a healthy population was 17.7%. Regarding cardiovascular risk factors, WCHT seems to be in the middle of NT and HT. Individuals with WCHT can be identified and given lifestyle advice in connection with a dental check-up, but follow-up and assessment of their cardiovascular risk should take place in primary care.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Allmänmedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- General Practice (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

White-coat hypertension

blood pressure

home blood pressure

screening

dental health care

population

Health Care Sciences & Services

General & Internal Medicine

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

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