FIRST RESULTS OF A LONG-TERM STUDY COMPAR ING OFFICE BLOOD-PRESSURE MEASUREMENT (OBP) VS AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE MEASUREMENT (ABPM) IN PATIENTS ON RAMIPRIL THERAPY (PLUR-STUDY)

In a 5-year multicenter study the value of ABPM shall be compared with the standard OBP. 1,250 patients have been included so far. Indicatio n for therapy will be made by single-blood pressure measurement in the office-group and according to mean daytime and 24 hour blood-pressure in the ABPM-group (Spacelabs 90207). Patients are randomized to the d ifferent groups. To get a comparable medication, initial antihypertens ive therapy starts with ACE-inhibitor ramipril in both groups. Increas ing the dosage or combination-therapy is possible according to blood p ressure controls using either OBP or ABPM. 22% of screened patients co uld not be included to the ABPM-group because of white coat hypertensi on. There was no significant difference in the amount of required ther apy between both groups within the first year, but there was a lower A CE-inhibitor dosage in the ABPM group. The percentage of patients on c ombination therapy was equal. The preliminary results after 1 year sho wed a white coat hypertension of 23.2% in antihypertensive treated pat ients. But there was an underestimation of blood pressure in 15.5% of the patients as well (''reverse white coat hypertension''). The follow -up during the next years has to show if there are significant advanta ges of the ABPM compared to the office blood pressure measurement.