Objective: To establish and validate a nomogram-based predictive model for idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the collected clinical and biochemical data of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) including 249 patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA) and 107 patients with IHA, who were treated at the Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2013 to November 2022. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin concentration (PRC) were measured by chemiluminescence. Stepwise regression analysis was applied to select the key predictors of IHA, and a nomogram-based scoring model was developed. The model was validated in another external independent cohort of patients with PA including 62 patients with UPA and 43 patients with IHA, who were diagnosed at the Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. An independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ² test were used for statistical analysis. Results: In the training cohort, in comparison with the UPA group, the IHA group showed a higher serum potassium level [M(Q₁, Q₃), 3.4 (3.1, 3.8) mmol/L vs. 2.7 (2.1, 3.1) mmol/L] and higher PRC [4.0 (2.1, 8.2) mU/L vs. 1.5 (0.6, 3.4) mU/L] and a lower PAC post-saline infusion test (SIT) [305 (222, 416) pmol/L vs. 720 (443, 1 136) pmol/L] and a lower rate of unilateral adrenal nodules [33.6% (36/107) vs. 81.1% (202/249)]; the intergroup differences in these measurements were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Serum potassium level, PRC, PAC post-SIT, and the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules showed similar performance in the IHA group in the validation cohort. After stepwise regression analysis for all significant variables in the training cohort, a scoring model based on a nomogram was constructed, and the predictive parameters included the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules, serum potassium concentration, PAC post-SIT, and PRC in the standing position. When the total score was ≥14, the model showed a sensitivity of 0.65 and specificity of 0.90 in the training cohort and a sensitivity of 0.56 and specificity of 1.00 in the validation cohort. Conclusion: The nomogram was used to successfully develop a model for prediction of IHA that could facilitate selection of patients with IHA who required medication directly.
Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis* ; Nomograms ; Hypertension ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aldosterone ; Saline Solution ; Renin ; Potassium

Humans ; Aldosterone ; Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis* ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/complications* ; Adenoma/diagnosis*

Objective: To investigate the associations between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. Consecutive patients diagnosed with PA and admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2017 to April 2022 were enrolled. General information, blood routine, renal function, and other clinical data of the patients were collected. Based on the median NLR of the enrolled patients, NLR-1·1.73 m^-2. Multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression models, smooth curve fitting and threshold effect exploration were used to analyze the relationship between NLR and eGFR in PA patients, and stratified analysis and interaction tests were used to evaluate potential variables that may affect the correlation between NLR and eGFR. Results: This study finally included 743 PA patients, aged (50.3±10.4) years, 42.9% (319/743) were female, and the median NLR was 2.3. After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and other factors, multiple linear regression analysis showed that high NLR was negatively correlated with eGFR (β=-4.9, P=0.008), and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high NLR was associated with low eGFR (OR=3.1, P=0.002). In the corrected smooth curve, NLR is U-shaped correlation with eGFR, and the inflection point is at NLR=3.5. When the NLR was<3.5, the eGFR decreased with the increase of NLR (corrected β=-4.7, P<0.001); When the NLR was≥3.5, the eGFR increased with the increase of NLR (corrected β=5.8, P=0.031). The results of stratified analysis showed that there was an interaction between the association of NLR and eGFR with the presence or absence of hyperlipidemia (P interaction=0.017), and the correlation between NLR and eGFR was stronger in PA patients with hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: In the PA patients, there is a U-shaped relationship between NLR and eGFR, and higher NLR is associated with lower eGFR. PA patients with elevated NLR should undergo additional screening for chronic kidney disease and receive related preventive interventions.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Neutrophils ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Lymphocytes ; Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis* ; Hyperlipidemias

Objective: To investigate the associations between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. Consecutive patients diagnosed with PA and admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2017 to April 2022 were enrolled. General information, blood routine, renal function, and other clinical data of the patients were collected. Based on the median NLR of the enrolled patients, NLR-1·1.73 m^-2. Multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression models, smooth curve fitting and threshold effect exploration were used to analyze the relationship between NLR and eGFR in PA patients, and stratified analysis and interaction tests were used to evaluate potential variables that may affect the correlation between NLR and eGFR. Results: This study finally included 743 PA patients, aged (50.3±10.4) years, 42.9% (319/743) were female, and the median NLR was 2.3. After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and other factors, multiple linear regression analysis showed that high NLR was negatively correlated with eGFR (β=-4.9, P=0.008), and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high NLR was associated with low eGFR (OR=3.1, P=0.002). In the corrected smooth curve, NLR is U-shaped correlation with eGFR, and the inflection point is at NLR=3.5. When the NLR was<3.5, the eGFR decreased with the increase of NLR (corrected β=-4.7, P<0.001); When the NLR was≥3.5, the eGFR increased with the increase of NLR (corrected β=5.8, P=0.031). The results of stratified analysis showed that there was an interaction between the association of NLR and eGFR with the presence or absence of hyperlipidemia (P interaction=0.017), and the correlation between NLR and eGFR was stronger in PA patients with hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: In the PA patients, there is a U-shaped relationship between NLR and eGFR, and higher NLR is associated with lower eGFR. PA patients with elevated NLR should undergo additional screening for chronic kidney disease and receive related preventive interventions.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Neutrophils ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Lymphocytes ; Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis* ; Hyperlipidemias

BACKGROUND: Since the diagnostic value of aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) calculated by plasma renin concentration (PRC) or plasma renin activity (PRA) is still inconclusive, we conducted a meta-analysis by systematically reviewing relevant literature to explore the difference in the diagnostic efficacy of ARR calculated by PRC or PRA, so as to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from the establishment of the database to March 2021. We included studies that report the true positive, false positive, true negative, and false negative values for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism, and we excluded duplicate publications, research without full text, incomplete information, or inability to conduct data extraction, animal experiments, reviews, and systematic reviews. STATA 15.1 was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The pooled results showed that ARR (plasma aldosterone concentration [PAC]/PRC) had a sensitivity of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78-0.86), a specificity of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92-0.95), a positive-likelihood ratio (LR) of 12.77 (95% CI: 7.04-23.73), a negative LR of 0.11 (95% CI: 0.07-0.17), and symmetric area under the curve (SAUC) of 0.982, respectively. Furthermore, the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of ARR (PAC/PRC) was 180.21. Additionally, the pooled results showed that ARR (PAC/PRA) had a sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.86-0.95), a specificity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.90-0.93), a positive LR of 7.30 (95% CI: 2.99-17.99), a negative LR of 0.10 (95% CI: 0.04-0.26), and SAUC of 0.976, respectively. The DOR of ARR (PAC/PRA) was 155.52. Additionally, we conducted a subgroup analysis for the different thresholds (<35 or ≥35) of PAC/PRC. The results showed that the DOR of the cut-off ≥35 groups was higher than the cut-off <35 groups (DOR = 340.15, 95% CI: 38.32-3019.66; DOR = 116.40, 95% CI = 23.28-581.92). CONCLUSIONS The research results suggest that the determination of ARR (PAC/PRC) and ARR (PAC/PRA) was all effective screening tools for PA. The diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic value of ARR (PAC/PRC) are higher than ARR (PAC/PRA). In addition, within a certain range, the higher the threshold, the better the diagnostic value.
Aldosterone ; Area Under Curve ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis* ; Hypertension ; Renin

Secondary hypertension occurs in a significant proportion of adult patients (~10%). In young patients, renal causes (glomerulonephritis) and coarctation of the aorta should be considered. In older patients, primary aldosteronism, obstructive sleep apnoea and renal artery stenosis are more prevalent than previously thought. Primary aldosteronism can be screened by taking morning aldosterone and renin levels, and should be considered in patients with severe, resistant or hypokalaemia-associated hypertension. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea should be sought. Worsening of renal function after starting an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor suggests the possibility of renal artery stenosis. Recognition, diagnosis and treatment of secondary causes of hypertension lead to good clinical outcomes and the possible reversal of end-organ damage, in addition to blood pressure control. As most patients with hypertension are managed at the primary care level, it is important for primary care physicians to recognise these conditions and refer patients appropriately.
Aldosterone ; blood ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Aortic Coarctation ; complications ; diagnosis ; Blood Pressure ; Glomerulonephritis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; diagnosis ; Hypertension ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Primary Health Care ; methods ; Referral and Consultation ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; drug therapy ; Renin ; blood ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; complications

17α-hydroxylase deficiency is a rare cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia and is characterized by primary amenorrhea, delayed puberty and hypertension. Although 17α-hydroxylase deficiency mimics mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension, impaired sexual development can aid in the differential diagnosis of this disease. A 32-year-old woman, who had a history of testicular feminization syndrome, presented with hypertension. Her aldosterone level was elevated whereas plasma renin activity was reduced, and her computed tomography scan showed a left adrenal adenoma, which was thought to be an aldosterone producing adenoma. A left adrenalectomy was performed to treat hypertension; however, the condition did not improve. The hormonal tests revealed high levels of plasma progesterone, mineralocorticoid and adrenocorticotropic hormone, and low levels of 17a hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol and sex hormones. The patient was diagnosed with 17α-hydroxylase deficiency and commenced on prednisolone, which controlled hypertension. Here, we report a case of 17α-hydroxylase deficiency mimicking hyperaldosteronism via aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma.
Adenoma* ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocortical Adenoma ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Adult ; Aldosterone ; Amenorrhea ; Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperaldosteronism* ; Hypertension ; Male ; Plasma ; Prednisolone ; Progesterone ; Puberty, Delayed ; Renin ; Sexual Development

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited renal disease. Hypertension is common and occurs before decline in renal function. However, the coexistence of hypertension and hypokalemia is rare in ADPKD patients. We report on a 32-year-old woman with secondary aldosteronism. Magnetic resonance imaging of the renal arteries revealed multiple cysts of varying sizes in both the kidneys and the liver, compatible with ADPKD. Increased reninangiotensin-aldosterone system activity was secondary to cyst expansion. After initiation of angiotensin II receptor blocker, her blood pressure was controlled without additional requirement of potassium.
Adult ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Blood Pressure ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension* ; Hypokalemia ; Kidney ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* ; Potassium ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; Renal Artery

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) begins with aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) measurement followed by confirmative tests. However, the ARR has high false positive rates which led to unnecessary confirmatory tests. Captopril challenge test (CCT) has been used as one of confirmatory tests, but the accuracy of it in the diagnosis of PA is still controversial. We aimed to examine the clinical efficacy of CCT as a post-screening test in PA. METHODS: In a prospective study, we enrolled subjects with suspected PA who had hypertension and ARR >20 (ng/dL)/(ng/mL/hr). Sixty-four patients who underwent both the saline infusion test and the CCT were included. RESULTS: The diagnostic performance of plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) post-CCT was greater than that of ARR post-CCT and ARR pre-CCT in PA (area under the curve=0.956, 0.797, and 0.748, respectively; P=0.001). A cut-off value of 13 ng/dL showed the highest diagnostic odds ratio considering PAC post-CCT at 60 and 90 minutes. A PAC post-CCT of 19 ng/dL had a specificity of 100%, which can be used as a cut-off value for the confirmative test. Determining the diagnostic performance of PAC post-CCT at 90 minutes was sufficient for PA diagnosis. Subjects with PAC post-CCT at 90 minutes <13 ng/dL are less likely to have PA, and those with PAC post-CCT at 90 minutes ≥13 but <19 ng/dL should undergo secondary confirmatory tests. CONCLUSION: The CCT test may be a reliable post-screening test to avoid the hospitalization in the setting of falsely elevated ARR screening tests.
Aldosterone ; Captopril* ; Diagnosis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension ; Mass Screening ; Odds Ratio ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Treatment Outcome

A 31-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with symptoms of hypertension and bilateral adrenocortical masses with no feature of Cushing syndrome. The serum aldosterone/renin ratio was elevated and the saline loading test showed no suppression of the plasma aldosterone level, consistent with a diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism. Overnight and low-dose dexamethasone suppression tests showed no suppression of serum cortisol, indicating a secondary diagnosis of subclinical Cushing syndrome. Adrenal vein sampling during the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test demonstrated excess secretion of cortisol from the left adrenal mass. A partial right adrenalectomy was performed, resulting in normalization of blood pressure, hypokalemia, and high aldosterone level, implying that the right adrenal mass was the main cause of the hyperaldosteronism. A total adrenalectomy for the left adrenal mass was later performed, resulting in a normalization of cortisol level. The final diagnosis was bilateral adrenocortical adenomas, which were secreting aldosterone and cortisol independently. This case is the first report of a concurrent cortisol-producing left adrenal adenoma and an aldosterone-producing right adrenal adenoma in Korea, as demonstrated by adrenal vein sampling and sequential removal of adrenal masses.
Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocortical Adenoma ; Adult ; Aldosterone* ; Blood Pressure ; Cushing Syndrome ; Dexamethasone ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension ; Hypokalemia ; Korea ; Plasma ; Veins