From BpTRU to OMRON: The impact of changing automated blood pressure measurement devices on blood pressure estimates among children and youth.

Abstract

Background: After six cycles of using the BpTRU (BT) BPM-300 blood pressure (BP) monitor, the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) introduced the OMRON (OM) IntelliSense HEM-907XL BP monitor in Cycle 7. This study assesses differences between BP values measured by both devices in children and youth aged 6 to 17 years and whether equations could be developed to compare BP measurements taken using the two devices.

Data and methods: In Cycle 6 (2018 to 2019) of the CHMS, BP was measured using BT and OM devices. Between-device estimates of systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and BP categories were compared for 233 children and youth aged 6 to 17 years. Sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and central obesity categories were examined in linear regression models to predict SBP and DBP values measured with OM based on those measured with BT.

Results: In the study sample, average SBP measured with OM was 9 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) higher than average SBP measured with BT, and average DBP measured with OM was 3 mmHg lower than DBP measured with BT. Normal BP prevalence based on OM measurements was 2.1 to 6.4 percentage points lower than the prevalence based on BT measurements, depending on which pediatric BP guidelines were applied. Between-device BP differences varied in magnitude by sex, age group, and BMI categories. Prediction equations developed using linear regression could not adequately account for the measurement differences between the two devices.

Interpretation: Switching to the OM device in Cycle 7 will substantively affect pediatric BP estimates, preventing comparability with BP data from previous cycles. The impact of changing the BP devices on BP measurement should be acknowledged when reporting estimates of pediatric BP based on the CHMS.