Determinant Factors Associated with Blood Pressure Variability in Hypertension: Insights from ABPM Study

Background: The increasing use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in recent times represents a significant shift in enhancing the diagnosis of hypertension. ABPM, with continuous 24-hour measurements, outperforms conventional office-based methods by accurately portraying blood pressure dynamics throughout daily activities, including blood pressure variability. Blood pressure variability (BPV) has emerged as a strong risk factors for future cardiovascular events and target organ damage. Objective: This study aimed to present demographic profile and identify the determinants of blood pressure variability of patients who underwent ABPM screening in Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2023 with total sample of 159 patients aged 21-86 who underwent ABPM for 24 hours. Variables such as age, gender with ABPM’s parameters including hypertension’s stage and blood pressure variability were recorded. All univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Among 159 patients, 92 (57.9%) were female, with 76 patients were elderly (47.8%). Majority had stage I hypertension (32.7%), and Non-Dipper BPV prevailed with 85 patients (53.45%). In bivariate analysis, only age demonstrated statistical significance with BPV (0.000; p<0.05), while gender and hypertension stage showed no significance. Multivariable logistic regression models indicated that age (adjusted OR 7.3, 95%CI 1.62-33.07) leaned more towards dipper variability. Conclusion: Our study revealed a predominance of elderly female participants displaying non-dipper blood pressure variability. Furthermore, our analysis identified a significant correlation between age and blood pressure variability, suggesting that older individuals, elderly with age 60 and older, tend to exhibit a higher inclination toward dipper variability.