Validation of the Omron M5-I, R5-I and HEM-907 automated blood pressure monitors in elderly individuals according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at verifying the accuracy of three automated electronic oscillometric blood pressure measuring devices, namely Omron M5-I (home use upper arm monitor), R5-I (home use wrist monitor) and HEM-907 (professional use upper arm monitor) according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol in elderly individuals.

METHODS

Sequential measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were obtained in 33 participants (aged >or=75 years) using the mercury sphygmomanometer (two observers) and each of the tested devices (one supervisor). A standard adult cuff was always employed during the study because all participants had an arm circumference compatible with such a cuff. According to the European Society of Hypertension validation protocol 99 couples (three pairs per patient) of test device and reference blood pressure measurements were obtained during phase 1 (15 participants studied) and phase 2 (a further 18 participants) for each electronic monitor.

RESULTS

All devices successfully passed the validation study with a mean (+/-SD) device-observer difference for systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 0.2+/-3.6/0.2+/-3.9 mmHg (Omron M5-I), -1.5+/-6.2/-0.7+/-3.7 mmHg (Omron R5-I), and 0.1+/-5.1/-1.9+/-4.2 mmHg (Omron HEM-907). SD of the mean difference was lower and thus the precision was better for diastolic than for systolic blood pressure, and for the Omron M5-I than for the other two devices.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results of the validation study based on the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol the Omron M5-I, R5-I, and HEM-907 may be recommended for clinical use in elderly individuals, without atrial fibrillation or frequent ectopic beats.