Automated blood pressure self-measurement station compared to office blood pressure measurement for first trimester screening of pre-eclampsia:

Background:Preeclampsia is a serious medical disorder affecting pregnancy. Screening in early pregnancy can identify women at risk and enable effective prophylactic treatment. Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is an important element of the screening algorithm. Automated self-screening, while attending the first trimester ultra sound scan, using a BP self-measurement (BPSM) station, could be a low-cost alternative to office BP measurements (OBPM) on both arms performed by clinical staff, if the measurement quality can be ensured.Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare automated BPSM using a self-measurement station on one arm, with OBPM performed by clinical staff on both arms. Primary outcome was the difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) between the two methods and secondary outcomes were safety and practicality issues.Methods:Pregnant women attending ultrasound-examination at 12 weeks gestational age were recruited and randomized to start with having two OBPMs taken on both arms by s...