Document Type : Research Article
Abstract
Background &Objective: Medical profession is believed to be one of most stressful profession. Present study was done to evaluate current scenario of masked and white coat hypertension among medical professional in Bundelkhand region. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at department of Medicine, M.L.B. Medical College, Jhansi, over a period between Jan 2014 to June 2015 on 300 medical professionals which included undergraduates, PG students, Consultants, Nursing staff and ministerial staffs. All patients underwent history taking, physical examination, laboratory analysis, office BP and ABPM. Results: 4 groups were identified based on office and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: i) True normotensive patients (BPs are normal both clinically and by ABPM) 197 (65.7%). ii) True hypertensive patients (both office and ABPM were high 23 (7.7%)). iii) White coat hypertensive patients (clinical BP were above limits, but ABPM were normal) 73 (24.3%). iv) Masked hypertensive patients (clinical BP were normal, but ABPM were high 7 (2.3%). Out of 300 subjects, there were 158 UG students, 49 PG students, 6 consultants, 66 nursing staff and 21 ministerial staff. White coat hypertension was more prevalent in undergraduates. Out of total 147 subjects, who were pre-hypertensives by office blood pressure, 140 subjects (95.2%) were true normotensive and 7 (4.8%) were having masked hypertension. None of the pre-hypertensive subject was having true hypertension. Out of total 96 subjects, who were hypertensives by office blood pressure, only 23 (23.9%) subjects were true hypertensive and majority of 73 subjects (76.1%) were having white coat hypertension. Conclusion: White coat hypertension was more prevalent in undergraduates and masked hypertension was more seen in nursing staff in this study. We did not find any target organ damage in white coat hypertensives and masked hypertensives. They don’t warrant antihypertensive treatment at this stage. These subjects may develop hypertension and target organ damage in upcoming years but earlier than the normal subjects. These subjects should be followed for development of hypertension and target organ damage.
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