The Comparison of White Coat Effect in Elderly White Coat Hypertensive Patients with Youngers

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: White coat hypertension is a common finding in hypertensive populations. The phenomenon of white coat hypertension may reflect an abnormally vigorous sympathetic response to the environment of the measurement, especially the presence of the measuring nurse or physician. The author evaluated the magnitude of the white coat effect in elderly white coat hypertensive patients compared to youngers. METHODS: This study included 38 white coat hypertensive patients(20 youngers, 18 olders) between May 2000 and April 2005. All patients had clinic blood pressure> or =140/90mmHg on at least 2 visits and systolic and diastolic 24-hour, daytime, night-time blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. RESULTS: 1) The mean clinic systolic blood pressure was significantly correlated to daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure(r=0.472, p60 years old). 2) In group B, daytime ambulatory diastolic blood pressure of male patients was significantly higher than females (male 77.7+/-5.7mmHg, female 74.1+/-4.5mmHg, p=0.041). 3) The magnitude of the white coat effect during systolic and diastolic periods was greater in the group B than group A (Group A 28.9+/-10.4mmHg/13.3+/-7.9mmHg, Group B 45.8+/-17.4mmHg/18.4+/-8.3mmHg, p>0.001/p=0.041). CONCLUSION: The magnitude of the white coat effect in elderly white coat hypertensive patients was greater than the youngers.