Comparison of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) Data in Type 2 Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Hypertensive Patients

Prathyusha S, Vaibhavi M, Sethi BK, Srinivas K and Modi KD

Published on: 2025-05-05

Abstract

Introduction: Presence of hypertension in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients significantly increases the risk of diabetic complications. ABPM is a better tool to manage hypertension than office-based Blood Pressure (BP) monitoring.  In this study we tried to analyse ABPM parameters in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Methods: The study was conducted over 1 year in 150 hypertensive patients (T2DM/non-DM: 75/75). The method of ABPM was explained and interested patients were included. Patients with secondary hypertension or significant end-organ disease were excluded. Details of anti-hypertensive drugs were noted. ABPM was performed with an oscillometric (Meditech) device.

Results: Mean age was higher in DM patients than non-DM patients (58.23 ± 9.92 versus 45.52 ± 8.27, p = 0.0001). Body Mass Index (BMI), mean duration of hypertension and number of patients using multiple drug therapy were comparable in both the groups. Baseline mean office BP was significantly higher in non-DM than T2DM patients (144/86 versus 135/78, p = 0.001). ABPM parameters like mean systolic and diastolic BP, maximum systolic and diastolic BP, mean nocturnal BP and blood pressure variability were higher in non-diabetic patients (p < 0.05). White coat and masked effects were common in both the groups. The number of patients with non-dipping, reverse dipping and exaggerated morning surge was higher in diabetic patients, but not significant.

Conclusions: This study highlights prospective cross-sectional comparison of ABPM parameters in type 2 diabetic patients versus non-diabetic hypertensive patients. ABPM abnormalities were more common in non-diabetic patients in comparison to diabetic patients. A small cohort, selection process, higher baseline BP and less seriousness about the disease could be possible reasons for the difference.