Obesity, hypertension and home sphygmomanometer cuffs

Abstract

Background: Since the increasing prevalence of obesity leads to a larger mean arm circumferences in the hypertensive population and appropriate cuff size is essential for accurate measurement of blood pressure, overweight and obese patients often require automated home sphygmomanometers with large- or extra large-sized cuffs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the information about cuff size on automated upper arm home sphygmomanometer packing boxes and compare the findings with wrist device boxes. Methods: One hundred twelve different device boxes (49 automated upper arm, 5 semi-automatic, and 58 wrist) produced by 40 manufacturers were investigated. Results: Three different types of information were observed (written, graphical, or a combination of both). There was not any information about cuff size on 49 (44%) device boxes. Most of the information expressed on the boxes was not attractive or informative for the patients. Conclusion: This study showed that the information regarding cuff size on most of the device boxes was obtuse and the patients are not warned sufficiently about appropriate cuff size. Physicians and health care providers should inform and train their patients about appropriate cuff size. (C) 2010 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.