TY - JOUR
T1 - Current pattern of primary aldosteronism diagnosis
T2 - Delayed and complicated
AU - Lim, Yin Yu
AU - Shen, Jimmy
AU - Fuller, Peter J
AU - Yang, Jun
PY - 2018/10/1
Y1 - 2018/10/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism is the most common specifically treatable and potentially curable cause of hypertension. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the referral pattern and disease characteristics of patients with hypertension and suspected primary aldosteronism. METHODS: We prospectively collected clinical data from patients who attended the Endocrine Hypertension Service (EHS) at Monash Health from May 2016 to May 2017. RESULTS: Of 87 patients, 69.2% had indications for primary aldosteronism screening in the primary care setting, although only 3.7% were actually screened. At the time of referral to the EHS, 61% had hypertension for over 10 years and 42% of the patients with primary aldosteronism had associated end-organ damage. Targeted treatment of primary aldosteronism led to biochemical and clinical improvement in all patients. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism is currently delayed and associated with significant end-organ damage. Increased awareness of primary aldosteronism and its screening indications in primary and tertiary care is needed for earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes.
AB - BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism is the most common specifically treatable and potentially curable cause of hypertension. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the referral pattern and disease characteristics of patients with hypertension and suspected primary aldosteronism. METHODS: We prospectively collected clinical data from patients who attended the Endocrine Hypertension Service (EHS) at Monash Health from May 2016 to May 2017. RESULTS: Of 87 patients, 69.2% had indications for primary aldosteronism screening in the primary care setting, although only 3.7% were actually screened. At the time of referral to the EHS, 61% had hypertension for over 10 years and 42% of the patients with primary aldosteronism had associated end-organ damage. Targeted treatment of primary aldosteronism led to biochemical and clinical improvement in all patients. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism is currently delayed and associated with significant end-organ damage. Increased awareness of primary aldosteronism and its screening indications in primary and tertiary care is needed for earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85074106918&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.31128/AJGP-05-18-4587
DO - 10.31128/AJGP-05-18-4587
M3 - Article
C2 - 31195777
VL - 47
SP - 712
EP - 718
JO - Australian Journal of General Practice
JF - Australian Journal of General Practice
SN - 2208-794X
IS - 10
ER -