ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the blood pressure variability during 24 h by using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in a group of obese and non-obese female adolescents with breast development status 4 and 5 of Tanner´s criteria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Cardiovascular Research Institute, Mexico. All subjects underwent 24 h non-invasive ABPM recording device. Pubertal status was determined by breast development. MEASUREMENTS: office systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR). Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, arm circumference, waist to hip ratio (W/H), and skinfold thickness measurements: triceps, subscapular, abdominal and supraspinal. RESULTS: Fifty-nine adolescents 13-16 years old; 29 obese (BMI 31.2±4.0), and 30 non- obese (BMI 21.2±2.2). Obese vs. non-obese: Office SBP 116.9 vs. 105.9±9.3 mmHg (p<0.001); ABPM in 24 h: SBP 113.8±6.3 vs. 107.6±5.7 mmHg (p<0.001); diurnal SBP 117.3 mmHg vs. 111.2 mmHg (p<0.001); nocturnal SBP 105.5±8 vs. 99.4 mmHg; absolute variability in 24 h DBP 10.0±1.8 vs. 8.7±1.5 (p<0.003); coefficient of variation 24 h DBP 17.3±3 vs. 15.4±2.6% (p<0.05); systolic non-dipper 16 (55.2%) vs. 9 (30%) (p<0.05); pulse pressure 24 h 49.3±8 vs. 43.5±9 mmHg (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Obese adolescents are presenting changes in BP variability during 24-h in comparison with nonobese adolescents; it also includes higher pulse pressure. Thus, these can be early indicators for the development of hypertension or other cardiovascular diseases in the adult life.
