Specifics of daily blood pressure monitoring in patients with systemic hypertension and obstructive sleep apnoea: a case-control study

Background. The comorbidity of arterial hypertension (AH) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) is becoming increasingly common in clinical practice. However, the priority strategy for selecting antihypertensive therapy in such patients is yet to be defined. 24-hour blood pressure monitoring is important for determining an approach to controlling hypertension.
Objectives. To study specific features of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring in comorbid AH– OSA patients.
Methods. A total of 130 AH patients were surveyed. The main cohort (1) included AH–OSA patients (n = 90, mean age 54.93 ± 1.04 years), control cohort (2) — non-OSA AH patients (n = 40, mean age 57.92 ± 1.29 years). All patients had a general clinical examination with 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. OSA was verified in overnight respiratory polygraphy using an Alice PDx diagnostic appliance (USA).
Results. The following specific features of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring were identified in the comorbid patients: a statistically significant growth of mean 24-hour systolic and average BP, as well as mean nocturnal systolic, diastolic and average BP; a statistically significant growth of mean 24-hour systolic, diastolic and average BP load indices. In addition, the AH-OSA patients had the statistically higher pulse pressure, systolic and average BP variability, as well as morning BP surge rate. The 24-hour BP dynamics in OSA patients had predominant morbid profiles and higher non-dipper and night-peaker rates compared to the control cohort.
Conclusion. The identified specific features reflect a high risk of adverse cardiovascular events in AH–OSA comorbid patients, an earlier damage of target organs and negative prognosis of comorbidity, which warrants a further analysis of AH-specific clinical picture and personalisation of blood pressure control measures in such patients.