Prevalence of white coat hypertension in primary health care.

OBJECTIVE Assess the prevalence of white coat hypertension in the municipality of Dumont, in São Paulo State, and map study participants' demographics, and physiologic and metabolic changes. METHODS One hundred and nine (109) users of the Municipal Health Service were selected and then divided into three groups: normotension, essential hypertension, and white coat hypertension after blood pressure was measured through oscilometry and blood pressure monitoring exam at outpatient unit. Variables found between the groups were compared based on interview, data measurements, and laboratory exams. ANOVA and Tukey tests were used for statistical data. Results were expressed as means +/- standard error of means. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The prevalence of white coat hypertension was 34.1%. Females were predominant: mean age 45.3 years, increased body mass index, waist/hip ratio, plasma glucose level and creatinine when compared to hypertensives and/or normotensives. No correlation was found between white coat hypertension and demographic variables. CONCLUSION The differences found between the groups and clinical and biochemical variations lead to the conclusion that white coat hypertension is a condition that should be investigated in normotensive and hypertensive individuals distinctively.