Comparison of pulse wave analysis parameters by oscillometry in hypertensive diabetic and nondiabetic patients in a Brazilian outpatient care

INTRODUCTION: Pulse wave analysis is an emerging approach that analyzes parameters comprising strong predictors of cardiovascular (CV) events and all-cause mortality, especially in patients with high CV risk based on established risk factors. This study used the oscillometric method, provided by the Mobil-o-Graph (PWA-EMI GmbH, Stolberg, Germany) device, to compare data regarding the pulse wave analysis parameters in hypertensive nondiabetic and diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 276 individuals were examined in the academic hypertension outpatient care unit of the Federal University of the Triângulo, in Mineiro, Brazil, from January to December 2016. The pulse wave analysis was performed by oscillometry, and its parameters were acquired from all patients. RESULTS: Of the 276 patients, 99 were diabetic and 177 nondiabetic. The mean systolic and pulse central blood pressure were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients (P = .008 and.0003, respectively). The mean peripheral systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were also significantly higher in the diabetic group (P = .001 and P < .0001, respectively). The average pulse wave velocity (PWV, m/s) was 9.4 ± 1.6 and 8.8 ± 1.6 in the diabetic and nondiabetic groups, respectively (P = .003). CONCLUSION: The group of hypertensive diabetic patients had significantly higher central blood pressure, peripheral blood pressure, and PWV than the hypertensive nondiabetic patients. The patients with overlapping established CV risk factors presented values of the pulse wave analysis parameters consistent with higher central pressure and greater arterial stiffness.