A comparative study of automated versus manual measurement of blood pressure in a tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Measurement of arterial blood pressure (BP) is one of the routine procedures performed both in outpatient and inpatient services of the hospital. Even though BP estimation is routinely done, its values are vital to assess the health status of the patients. Accurate recordings of BP can be estimated by adhering to all the precautions and instructions relating to the specific method employed for BP measurement. In recent years, many health-care setups are replacing the traditional manual BP apparatus with automated machines (digital) for BP estimation. Hence, there is a need to compare these two techniques in relation to their accuracy. Aims and Objectives: In a quest to replace manual mercury sphygmomanometers with automated machines, there is a need to see the reliability of automated machines of BP measurements especially which are currently available in India. Hence, the present study will help us to see the accuracy of automated machines by simultaneously comparing them with manual mercury sphygmomanometer. Materials and Methods: A total of around 224 patients which include 124 males and 100 females within the age group of 25–35 years are recruited for the study. Informed consent was taken from all the subjects. Institute ethical clearance was obtained before conducting the research study. Both manual and automated BP apparatus were used for BP recording. Results: The mean systolic BP (SBP) recorded in males using the mercury sphygmomanometer was found to be 113.19 ± 10.60 mmHg, 113.08 ± 10.08 mmHg, and 117.16 ± 11.14 mmHg, and the mean diastolic BP (DBP) was found to be 68.76 ± 8.34 mmHg, 70.50 ± 8.66 mmHg, and 72.69 ± 8.35 mmHg in sitting, standing, and recumbent postures, respectively. The mean SBP recorded using digital sphygmomanometer was found to be 113.90 ± 10.93 mmHg, 117.24 ± 10.23 mmHg, and 117.16 ± 11.14 mmHg and the mean DBP recorded was found to be to be 68.50±8.43 mmHg, 70.50 ± 8.66 mmHg, and 72.39±7.89 mmHg in sitting, standing, and recumbent postures, respectively. The difference between mean SBP and DBPs in males recorded using the two devices was found to be statistically insignificant. Similarly, the difference between mean SBP and DBP in females recorded using the two devices was not statistically significant. Conclusion: From the above results, it is concluded that there were no significant differences in recorded values of manual mercury sphygmomanometer and automated digital sphygmomanometer.