Blood pressure measurement in diabetes: Lack of effect from stress factors in the clinic

Precise blood pressure (BP) measurements are an important part of the clinical assessment of patients with diabetes, and may be influenced by patient and observer-related factors. Several ‘stress’ events specific to the diabetes clinic may influence the BP including the finger prick for capillary blood glucose measurement and the consultation with a doctor. Semi-automated oscillometric devices may be helpful in the diabetes clinic as these not only allow for multiple measurements to be obtained easily but may also reduce observer errors. The aims of this study were to assess BP changes during specific ‘stress’ events and to evaluate the role of a semi-automated BP device (Omron HEM-705CP) in the diabetes clinic. Fifty-one routine follow-up patients (35 men and 16 women) participated in this diabetes clinic-based observational study. Mean BP mmHg (±SD) were: on arrival to the clinic 143/84 (26/12); pre-finger prick 141/83 (24/11); post-finger prick 141/81 (24/11); pre-doctor consultation 142/81 (23/14); post-doctor consultation 142/82 (23/13); end of the clinic 146/84 (24/17); 15 minutes after clinic 140/79 (22/10). There were no significant differences, as assessed by single ANOVA, in either systolic or diastolic BP recordings. There appears to be no significant alerting response related to potential stress events in a diabetes clinic and BP can be measured at any stage using the Omron HEM-705CP.