Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood
ratios for a positive and negative test of different measures in
predicting ambulatory pressure treatment
thresholds
Systolic pressure
Diastolic
pressure
Sensitivity (%)
Specificity
(%)
Likelihood ratio (positive)
Likelihood ratio
(negative)
Sensitivity (%)
Specificity
(%)
Likelihood ratio (positive)
Likelihood ratio
(negative)
Doctor
83.7
50.7
1.7
0.32
79.5
63.0
2.1
0.33
Nurse 1mercury
67.9
67.1
2.1
0.48
75.0
33.6
2.2
0.38
Nurse 1oscillometric
69.9
73.2
2.6
0.41
68.1
69.6
2.2
0.46
Nurse 2mercury
66.7
75.3
2.7
0.44
79.2
74.5
3.1
0.28
Nurse 2oscillometric
58.5
83.3
3.5
0.50
80.9
76.9
3.5
0.25
Self measurement in surgery
1
77.1
58.3
1.8
0.39
100
65.1
2.9
-
Self measurement in surgery
2
80.0
90.9
8.8
0.22
92.3
74.4
3.6
0.10
Home
measurement
84.1
68.7
2.7
0.23
80.4
70.6
2.7
0.28
Last three clinic
measurements
85.8
43.4
1.5
0.33
84.8
58.8
2.1
0.26
Thresholds at which drug treatment for high blood pressure would
be started or changed: ambulatory readingsprevious recommendations
suggested that in patients with newly diagnosed or borderline
hypertension ambulatory readings or home readings of >145/95 mm Hg
would indicate a need for treatment,5 and at >135/85 mm Hg
poor control would warrant changing treatment for established
hypertension2 5; clinic readings (by doctor, nurse, or
self measurement in the surgery)in patients with newly diagnosed
hypertension drug treatment would be started at >160/100 mm
Hg,4 and poor control would warrant a change in treatment
for established hypertension at >140/90 mm Hg.3
mercury