Home-measured pulse pressure better predictor of CVD risk in type 2 diabetes patients

Japan: Home-measured pulse pressure (PP) compared to clinic-measured PP is better for predicting new-onset cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes patients, researchers state in a retrospective cohort study. The study appears in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases. 

Pulse pressure is the difference between the upper (systolic) and lower (diastolic) blood pressure. This number can be indicative of health problems before symptoms develop. Pulse pressure can also sometimes that you're at risk for certain diseases or conditions. With age, pulse pressure tends to increase. It can be obtained by subtracting the bottom number from the top number.

Pulse pressure is known to be a prognostic predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Considering this, Emi Ushigome, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan, and colleagues conducted the KAMOGAWA-HBP study with the objective to determine the association between home PP measurements and cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes patients. 

For this purpose, the researchers measured home blood pressure in 1082 patients with type 2 diabetes for 14 consecutive days, and pulse pressure was calculated. They were followed up for a 10-year period.