Background: An accurate, quantifiable assessment of hand grip strength (HGS) can predict overall strength and health with a good predictor for identifying populations at higher risk for any medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, neuromuscular diseases and stroke that helps clinicians establish realistic treatment goals and provides treatment outcome data. The purpose of the study is to determine the percentile scores of HGS of healthy adult individuals of various age groups using Jamar dynamometer and modified sphygmomanometer. Methods: This descriptive study measures HGS using Jamar dynamometer and modified sphygmomanometer obtained from one hundred twenty healthy participants 20 years old and above. Comparative analyses of the 2 apparatuses were conducted using One-Way ANOVA. The reference intervals at different percentiles were calculated using the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Grip strength (GS) using Jamar dynamometer (JD) and modified sphygmomanometer (MS) among younger (20- 29 years old) participants, the 50th percentile (Q2) JD score was 28.29 kg with an equivalent MS score of 161.38 mmHg, were significantly higher compared to those across older age groups especially among the ≥70 years old with a JD Q2 score of 16.74 kg and MS Q2 score of 101.33 mmHg. These findings suggest that HGS decreases with increasing age. Conclusion Scores obtained from this study can serve as preliminary baseline values or guide for interpreting GS measurements.
Hand Strength ; Sphygmomanometers

Since clinical significance of blood pressure level in childhood has been known, a several studies for the purpose of establishing normal blood pressure referece values in Korean school-aged children were performed. The author of this article measured normal blood pressure values for children in an elementary school, and two middle schools of Korean rural area using mercury sphygmomanometer. The results were as follows: 1) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values increased according as age and height increased. Abrupt increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure values at 11 years of age in both sexes was observed. 2) Average values of systolic/diastolic blood pressure in 6 year-old boys were 106/61 mmHg and these values increased with rates of 1.5 mmHg/yr (systolic blood pressure), 1.0 mmHg/yr (diastolic blood pressure). Similarily, the values in 6 year-old girls were 103/60 mmHg and they increased with the rate of 2.0 mmHg/yr (systolic blood pressure) and 1.5 mmHg/yr (diastolic blood pressure). 3) As the distribution of blood pressure level was observed in view of age and height reference, there were no biologically and statistically significant discrepancies in blood pressure level between boys and girls. 4) A strong positive correlationship with each parameters was observed in both sexes. 5) Blood pressure values for 50, 90, 95 percentile were presented in table and figure.
Blood Pressure* ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Sphygmomanometers

BACKGROUND: To investigate the possibie difference, if any, between office blood pressure(BP) and home BP may be important in the diagnosis and treatment of hypersensive patients. This report deails the difference between the two BP's and the usefulness of digital electronic sphygmomanometer(DES) for self-monitoring of home BP. METHODS: The BP's of 14 patients with essential hypertension were measured with mercury sphygmomanometers at outpatient department by physician and with DES at home(twice a day) by the patients. Patients were followed up every 2 weeks for 4 weeks and previous 2 weeks' average home BP's were compared with the office BP's of each 2 weeks' end. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between office and home BP(both systolic and diastolic) ; office average BP(151/95mmHg) was higher than home average BP(136/86mmHg). CONCLUSION: Caution may be needed in the interpretation of office BP unless it is measured several times after adequate rest.
Blood Pressure* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Outpatients ; Sphygmomanometers*

Mercurial sphygmomanometer is widely applied to NIBP as the basic medical equipment in hospitals, but it is dangerous. With the world-wide limit of mercurial sphygmomanometers, it is inevitable that the mercurial sphygmomanometers would be eliminated. At the same time, according to the requirement of the medical staff and for the technical side of medical engineering, we should set up a claim for the mercurial sphygmomanometers' substitute products.
Blood Pressure Determination ; instrumentation ; Mercury ; Sphygmomanometers

BACKGROUND: Recently, it is substituted automatic sphygmomanometer for mercury sphygmomanometer. But it seems to be insufficient for data of its accuracy. A sample accurate automatic sphygmomanometer could have an important role in the management of hypertension. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of the automatic sphygmomanometer that is used common practice and at home. METHODS: We collected 247 patients who visited the department of Famiiy Practice of Taegu medical center from April to August 1996. BP was measured sequentially same arm by standard device(mercury. sphygmomanometer), test device A(A&D TM-2650), test device B(seine SE-2000). We assessed the automatic sphygmomanometer according to the standards set out by the British Hypertension Society(BHS) protocol and the American Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI). These data were analysed using pearson' correlation and paired t-test. RESULTS: Test device A was highly correlated to mercury sphygmomanometer in systolic and diastolic BP(r=0.90, r=0.88). Also test device B was highly correlated to that(r=0.90, r=0.87). The mean difference between BP value obtained by the standard device and those obtained by the test device A were 0.59+/-7.66mmHg systole(mean+/-SD) and 3.83+/-6.43mmHg diast.ole, whereas the difference between the former and those obtained by the test device B were 1.70+/-7.99mmHg systole.and 5.58+/-6.38mmHg diastole. Comparing to standard device, there were a signifioant difference except systolic BP of test device A(P<0.05). According to the criteria of the AAMI, the diastolic BP of test device B was not enough and according to the criteria of the BHS, the diastolic BP of both test device were not enough. CONCLUSIONS: Both test device were highly correlated to mercury sphygmomanometer. But according to the criteria of the BHS and AAMI, there were not enough. Because the use of automatic sphygmomanometer was popularized, I think that further study will be required to assess of accuracy.
Arm ; Blood Pressure* ; Daegu ; Diastole ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Sphygmomanometers*

BACKGROUND: A reliable, well-validated home blood pressure(BP) self measurement device could have an important role in the management of hypertension. Rigorous assessment of such a device have not performed well, particularly in the hypertensive range. METHODS: We assessed the National EW274W device(oscillometric) for home messurem of BP according to the standards set out by the British Hypertension Society protocol and American Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI). The device was compared with sequential measurements using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer in the same arm in 105 patients aged 16-79 years. The BP of subjects was measured three times at least a week apart. These data were analysed using Pearson's correlation and paired t-test. RESULTS: The device was highly correlated to mercury sphygmomanometer in mean systolic BP(SBP) and mean diastolic BP(DBP) (r=0.93, r=0.93, P<0.05). The device was satisfactory over the whole BP range(SBP 106-182mmHg, DBP 56-116mmHg), with a B grade for SBP and a A grade for DBP(British Hypertension Society protocol) and a PASS for both SBP and DBP(AAMI). Sensitivity and specificity are 84.2%, 93.0%(mean SBP) and 100%, 96.9% (mean DBP). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded the wrist blood pressure meter(National EW274W) for home BP measurement is highly satisfactory and is suitable for clinical use.
Arm ; Blood Pressure* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sphygmomanometers ; Wrist*

This paper briefly introduces the basic principle of non-invasive automated sphygmomanometers, discusses its accuracy and influence factors and analyzes the Calibration test methods and its Inadequacies in application process as well.
Automation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Blood Pressure Determination ; instrumentation ; methods ; Sphygmomanometers

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence regarding injury and poisoning associated with the clinical mercury thermometer. METHODS: Electronic literature searches were conducted for identification of relevant studies and case reports of injury and poisoning associated with the clinical mercury thermometer. The search outcomes were limited to literature with English and Korean languages published from 1966. Studies related to occupational mercury exposure, or mercury exposure from sphygmomanometer, barometer, and fluorescent light were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 60 reports, including 59 case reports, were finally included. Of those, nine cases pertained to an intact thermometer as a foreign body, 25 injuries were related to a thermometer, and 26 cases involved exposures to mercury from a broken thermometer. Case reports were classified according to severity into 16 mild, 41 moderate, and two severe cases. Two cases of mortality were reported, one was deliberate intravenous injection of mercury and the other was acute vapor inhalation of mercury from broken thermometers. CONCLUSION: Findings of this systematic review suggested that the mercury thermometer could cause various forms of poisoning and injury. In particular, inhalation of mercury vapor from a broken thermometer can lead to systemic toxicity requiring chelating therapy.
Foreign Bodies ; Inhalation ; Injections, Intravenous ; Mortality ; Poisoning* ; Sphygmomanometers ; Thermometers*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence regarding injury and poisoning associated with the clinical mercury thermometer. METHODS: Electronic literature searches were conducted for identification of relevant studies and case reports of injury and poisoning associated with the clinical mercury thermometer. The search outcomes were limited to literature with English and Korean languages published from 1966. Studies related to occupational mercury exposure, or mercury exposure from sphygmomanometer, barometer, and fluorescent light were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 60 reports, including 59 case reports, were finally included. Of those, nine cases pertained to an intact thermometer as a foreign body, 25 injuries were related to a thermometer, and 26 cases involved exposures to mercury from a broken thermometer. Case reports were classified according to severity into 16 mild, 41 moderate, and two severe cases. Two cases of mortality were reported, one was deliberate intravenous injection of mercury and the other was acute vapor inhalation of mercury from broken thermometers. CONCLUSION: Findings of this systematic review suggested that the mercury thermometer could cause various forms of poisoning and injury. In particular, inhalation of mercury vapor from a broken thermometer can lead to systemic toxicity requiring chelating therapy.
Foreign Bodies ; Inhalation ; Injections, Intravenous ; Mortality ; Poisoning* ; Sphygmomanometers ; Thermometers*

Several shorter-term alternatives for whole-day ambulatory monitoring of BP using Pressureometer III or standard sphygmomanometer were evaluated in 12 male hypertensive patients. Averages of BP reading at 8 AM once, consecutive 3 readings either by Pressurometer or manual, serial readings during 2-hr intervals of 8-10 AM and 2/4 PM were compared with that of 24-hr ambulatory, non-invasive BP readings. Both systolic and diastolic 2-hr Bp averages in the morning were correlated more strongly with 24-hour averages(r=0.91 and 0.91), than were those of the 3 readings(r=0.88 and 0.66) or single reading(r=0.49 and -0.35) alternatives. In conclusion, the average of serial readings obtained during 2-hr monitoring period from 8 to 10AM is a reliable predictor of 24-hr ambulatory BP and represents it more closely than the conventional single or multiple BP readings.
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory* ; Humans ; Male ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Reading ; Sphygmomanometers