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Endocrinology and Metabolism |
Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester MN.
aAddress correspondence to this author at: Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester MN 55905. Fax 507-284-1161; e-mail gschwartz{at}mayo.edu.
Background: The ratio of plasma aldosterone concentration to plasma renin activity (PRA) is considered the screening test of choice for primary aldosteronism. Uncertainty exists, however, regarding its diagnostic accuracy and the effects of antihypertensive drugs and dietary sodium balance on test characteristics.
Methods: We measured PRA and aldosterone in 118 white adults [71 men and 47 women; mean (SD) age, 51 (7) years] with previously diagnosed essential hypertension. Measurements were made while individuals were on antihypertensive drug therapy, after a 2-week drug-free period, after 4 days of dietary sodium loading, and after acute furosemide diuresis. We measured 24-h urine aldosterone excretion and PRA on the 4th day of dietary sodium loading to establish the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. ROC curves were constructed for ratios measured under each clinical condition, and likelihood ratios were determined for individuals on or off antihypertensive drug therapy.
Results: Fifteen patients [13%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 7–20%] met the reference standard for primary aldosteronism. The mean (SD) areas under the ROC curves did not differ significantly across conditions of measurement [range, 0.80 (0.10) to 0.85 (0.04); P = 0.72]. When measured on and off antihypertensive drug therapy, the 95% CIs for the optimum cutpoint for the ratio overlapped. Point estimates of sensitivity on and off therapy were 73% (95% CI, 50–96%) and 87% (70–100%), respectively, and specificities were 74% (65–83%) and 75% (66–84%). Under either condition, increased ratios were associated with 2.4- to 13-fold increases of posttest odds above pretest odds.
Conclusions: The aldosterone:PRA ratio provides only fair diagnostic accuracy in screening for primary aldosteronism, but concomitant antihypertensive drug therapy or acute variation in dietary sodium balance does not adversely affect test accuracy. Reporting of likelihood ratios associated with ranges of values of the aldosterone:PRA ratio, rather than use of a single "optimum" cutpoint, may enhance the usefulness of the test.
The following articles in journals at HighWire Press have cited this article:
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  M. J.E. Kempers, J. W.M. Lenders, L. van Outheusden, G. J. van der Wilt, L. J. Schultze Kool, A. R.M.M. Hermus, and J. Deinum Systematic Review: Diagnostic Procedures to Differentiate Unilateral From Bilateral Adrenal Abnormality in Primary Aldosteronism Ann Intern Med, September 1, 2009; 151(5): 329 - 337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 D. A. Calhoun, D. Jones, S. Textor, D. C. Goff, T. P. Murphy, R. D. Toto, A. White, W. C. Cushman, W. White, D. Sica, et al. Resistant Hypertension: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Professional Education Committee of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research Circulation, June 24, 2008; 117(25): e510 - e526. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 D. A. Calhoun, D. Jones, S. Textor, D. C. Goff, T. P. Murphy, R. D. Toto, A. White, W. C. Cushman, W. White, D. Sica, et al. Resistant Hypertension: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Professional Education Committee of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research Hypertension, June 1, 2008; 51(6): 1403 - 1419. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 D. Smiley and G. Umpierrez Primary Aldosteronism in Diabetic Subjects With Resistant Hypertension: Response to Ng et al. Diabetes Care, January 1, 2008; 31(1): e3 - e3. [Full Text] [PDF]
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D. A. Calhoun and N. M. Kaplan Is There an Unrecognized Epidemic of Primary Aldosteronism? (Pro) Hypertension, September 1, 2007; 50(3): 447 - 453. [Full Text] [PDF]
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G. P. Rossi, A. Belfiore, G. Bernini, G. Desideri, B. Fabris, C. Ferri, G. Giacchetti, C. Letizia, M. Maccario, F. Mallamaci, et al. Comparison of the Captopril and the Saline Infusion Test for Excluding Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma Hypertension, August 1, 2007; 50(2): 424 - 431. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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G. E. Umpierrez, P. Cantey, D. Smiley, A. Palacio, D. Temponi, K. Luster, and A. Chapman Primary Aldosteronism in Diabetic Subjects With Resistant Hypertension Diabetes Care, July 1, 2007; 30(7): 1699 - 1703. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 E. Cavalier, P. Delanaye, J.-M. Krzesinski, and J.-P. Chapelle Analytical Variation in Plasma Renin Activity: Implications for the Screening of Primary Aldosteronism Clin. Chem., April 1, 2007; 53(4): 803 - 804. [Full Text] [PDF]
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 G. P. Rossi, G. Bernini, C. Caliumi, G. Desideri, B. Fabris, C. Ferri, C. Ganzaroli, G. Giacchetti, C. Letizia, M. Maccario, et al. A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Primary Aldosteronism in 1,125 Hypertensive Patients J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., December 5, 2006; 48(11): 2293 - 2300. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 D. A. Calhoun Aldosteronism and Hypertension Clin. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., September 1, 2006; 1(5): 1039 - 1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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