Twenty-four-hour and nocturnal ambulatory blood pressure variability patterns in diabetics and hypothyroid patients: Looking through different temporal windows

This cross-sectional study attempted to determine the 24-h blood pressure variability (BPV) and nocturnal dipping, through designated temporal windows in diabetic and hypothyroid patients. BPV profiles were examined in the cohorts of 26 diabetics and 27 hypothyroid patients on their prescribed medications. Fifty-seven (57) healthy normotensive subjects were treated as controls. We recorded blood pressure (BP)parameters in each subject over at least two to three consecutive days, using an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM). We analyzed the data employing A&D software, Cosinor rhythmometry, and SPSS software. Most of the patients displayed a statistically significant circadian rhythm with prominent periodsat 24 h and/or 12 h. The hourly-averaged data in patients exceeded the normal range of BP during the early morning and late afternoon. BP parameters in studied patients were significantly higher than in the controls. The results depicted significant and independent effects of “temporal window” and “disease” on the nocturnal BP profile. Higher BPV and bouts of nocturnal hypotension in diabetic and hypothyroid patients indicate poor BP management. The diagnosis of BP and efficacy of treatment in diabetic and hypothyroid patients could be detected proficiently by ambulatory BP monitoring. Temporal window analysis could be beneficial for tracing nocturnal dipping precisely.