Mechanisms and treatment of resistant hypertension.
Pimenta Eduardo,Gaddam Krishna K,Oparil Suzanne
Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.)
Resistant hypertension is defined as blood pressure (BP) that remains uncontrolled in spite of the use of >/=3 antihypertensive medications. Stricter BP goals, higher obesity rates, older age, and increased use of exogenous BP-elevating substances are related to an increasing prevalence of resistant hypertension. The evaluation of patients with resistant hypertension is focused on identifying contributing and secondary causes of hypertension, including hyperaldosteronism, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, renal artery stenosis, and pheochromocytoma. Hyperaldosteronism is now recognized as the most common cause of resistant hypertension, and all patients with resistant hypertension should be screened with a plasma aldosterone/renin ratio even if the serum potassium level is normal. Treatment includes removal of contributing factors, appropriate management of secondary causes, and use of effective multidrug regimens. Recent studies indicate that the addition of spironolactone to standard treatment induces significant BP reduction in most patients with resistant hypertension.
10.1111/j.1751-7176.2008.08143.x
How can resistant hypertension be identified and prevented?
Solini Anna,Ruilope Luis M
Nature reviews. Cardiology
Resistant hypertension is highly prevalent, and is the form of arterial hypertension that is most difficult to treat. Many patients diagnosed with this disease do not have resistant hypertension, but rather have mismanaged primary hypertension. In many cases blood pressure can be controlled by directly addressing underlying causes such as primary aldosteronism, obstructive sleep apnoea, or excessive neurogenic stimulation. Clinicians should ensure that appropriate blood-pressure measurements are used to diagnose resistant hypertension, explore a variety of drug combinations, and battle clinical inertia. Patients should comply with medication schedules and dietary modifications. Correction of these factors will greatly diminish the prevalence of 'resistant' hypertension and avoid the consequences of a persistently elevated blood pressure in these patients.
10.1038/nrcardio.2013.23
Resistant hypertension: a review of diagnosis and management.
Vongpatanasin Wanpen
JAMA
Resistant hypertension-uncontrolled hypertension with 3 or more antihypertensive agents-is increasingly common in clinical practice. Clinicians should exclude pseudoresistant hypertension, which results from nonadherence to medications or from elevated blood pressure related to the white coat syndrome. In patients with truly resistant hypertension, thiazide diuretics, particularly chlorthalidone, should be considered as one of the initial agents. The other 2 agents should include calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for cardiovascular protection. An increasing body of evidence has suggested benefits of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, such as eplerenone and spironolactone, in improving blood pressure control in patients with resistant hypertension, regardless of circulating aldosterone levels. Thus, this class of drugs should be considered for patients whose blood pressure remains elevated after treatment with a 3-drug regimen to maximal or near maximal doses. Resistant hypertension may be associated with secondary causes of hypertension including obstructive sleep apnea or primary aldosteronism. Treating these disorders can significantly improve blood pressure beyond medical therapy alone. The role of device therapy for treating the typical patient with resistant hypertension remains unclear.
10.1001/jama.2014.5180
Resistant hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea.
Khan Akram,Patel Nimesh K,O'Hearn Daniel J,Khan Supriya
International journal of hypertension
Hypertension (HTN) is a modifiable, highly prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and renal dysfunction worldwide. In the United States, HTN affects one in three adults, contributes to one out of every seven deaths and to nearly half of all cardiovascular disease-related deaths. HTN is considered resistant when the blood pressure remains above goal despite lifestyle modification and administration of three antihypertensive agents of different classes including a diuretic. Large population-based studies have suggested that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for resistant HTN. The mechanism proposed is a pattern of intermittent hypoxia associated with hyperaldosteronism, increased sympathetic tone, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation. In this review we discuss the association between OSA and resistant HTN, the physiologic mechanisms linking OSA with resistant HTN, and the effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) on blood pressure in patients with resistant HTN. While the reduction in blood pressure with CPAP is usually modest in patients with OSA, a decrease of only a few mmHg in blood pressure can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk. Patients presenting to a center specializing in management of hypertension should be screened and treated for OSA as a potentially modifiable risk factor.
10.1155/2013/193010
Spironolactone reduces severity of obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with resistant hypertension: a preliminary report.
Gaddam K,Pimenta E,Thomas S J,Cofield S S,Oparil S,Harding S M,Calhoun D A
Journal of human hypertension
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and hyperaldosteronism are very common in subjects with resistant hypertension. We hypothesized that aldosterone-mediated chronic fluid retention may influence OSA severity in patients with resistant hypertension. We tested this in an open-label evaluation by assessing the changes in the severity of OSA in patients with resistant hypertension after treatment with spironolactone. Subjects with resistant hypertension (clinical blood pressure (BP) >or=140/90 mm Hg on >or=3 antihypertensive medications, including a thiazide diuretic and OSA (defined as an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) >or=15) had full diagnostic, polysomnography before and 8 weeks after spironolactone (25-50 mg a day) was added to their ongoing antihypertensive therapy. In all, 12 patients (mean age 56 years and body mass index 36.8 kg m(-2)) were evaluated. After treatment with spironolactone, the AHI (39.8+/-19.5 vs 22.0+/-6.8 events/h; P<0.05) and hypoxic index (13.6+/-10.8 vs 6.7+/-6.6 events/h; P<0.05), weight and clinic and ambulatory BP were significantly reduced. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and serum creatinine were significantly higher. This study provides preliminary evidence that treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist substantially reduces the severity of OSA. If confirmed in a randomized assessment, it will support aldosterone-mediated chronic fluid retention as an important mediator of OSA severity in patients with resistant hypertension.
10.1038/jhh.2009.96
Approach to cases with resistant hypertension.
Torun Dilek
Anadolu kardiyoloji dergisi : AKD = the Anatolian journal of cardiology
Resistant hypertension is defined as blood pressure that remains above 140/90 mm Hg despite the concurrent use of optimal dose of 3 antihypertensive agents of different classes. Ideally, 1 of these 3 agents should be a diuretic agent. The etiology of resistance hypertension is multifactorial. Successful treatment requires identification and reversal of lifestyle factors (obesity, dietary salt intake, alcohol intake, lack of adherence to prescribed medicines, and interfering substances), and to exclude the presence of pseudoresistance. Once confounding factors have been ruled out, evaluation for potentially treatable secondary causes of hypertension should be considered. Most forms of secondary hypertension are related with adrenal or renal disorders such as primary hyperaldosteronism and renovascular disease. Although, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is not a typical cause of secondary hypertension, it is commonly present in resistant hypertension. Diagnostic workup and management of resistant hypertension were discussed in different clinical presentations.
10.5152/akd.2014.5287
Resistant hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea and aldosterone.
Dudenbostel T,Calhoun D A
Journal of human hypertension
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and hypertension commonly coexist. Observational studies indicate that untreated OSA is strongly associated with an increased risk of prevalent hypertension, whereas prospective studies of normotensive cohorts suggest that OSA may increase the risk of incident hypertension. Randomized evaluations of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) indicate an overall modest effect on blood pressure (BP). Determining why OSA is so strongly linked to having hypertension in cross-sectional studies, but yet CPAP therapy has limited BP benefit needs further exploration. The CPAP studies do, however, indicate a wide variation in the BP effects of CPAP, with some patients manifesting a large antihypertensive benefit such that a meaningful BP effect can be anticipated in some individuals. OSA is particularly common in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN). The reason for this high prevalence of OSA is not fully explained, but data suggest that it may be related to the high occurrence of hyperaldosteronism in patients with RHTN. In patients with RHTN, it has been shown that aldosterone levels correlate with severity of OSA and that blockade of aldosterone reduces the severity of OSA. Overall, these findings are consistent with aldosterone excess contributing to worsening of underlying OSA. We hypothesize that aldosterone excess worsens OSA by promoting accumulation of fluid within the neck, which then contributes to increased upper airway resistance.
10.1038/jhh.2011.47
Plasma aldosterone is related to severity of obstructive sleep apnea in subjects with resistant hypertension.
Pratt-Ubunama Monique N,Nishizaka Mari K,Boedefeld Robyn L,Cofield Stacey S,Harding Susan M,Calhoun David A
Chest
OBJECTIVE:Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary aldosteronism are common in subjects with resistant hypertension; it is unknown, however, if the two disorders are causally related. This study relates plasma aldosterone and renin levels to OSA severity in subjects with resistant hypertension, and in those with equally severe OSA but without resistant hypertension serving as control subjects. METHODS:Seventy-one consecutive subjects referred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) for resistant hypertension (BP uncontrolled on three medications) and 29 control subjects referred to UAB Sleep Disorders Center for suspected OSA were prospectively evaluated by an early morning plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and renin level, and by overnight, attended polysomnography. RESULTS:OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > or = 5/h) was present in 85% of subjects with resistant hypertension. In these subjects, PAC correlated with AHI (rho = 0.44, p = 0.0002) but not renin concentration. Median PAC was significantly lower in control subjects compared to subjects with resistant hypertension (5.5 ng/dL vs 11.0 ng/dL, p < 0.05) and not related to AHI. In male subjects compared to female subjects with resistant hypertension, OSA was more common (90% vs 77%) and more severe (median AHI, 20.8/h vs 10.8/h; p = 0.01), and median PAC was significantly higher (12.0 ng/dL vs 8.8 ng/dL, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION:OSA is extremely common in subjects with resistant hypertension. A significant correlation between PAC and OSA severity is observed in subjects with resistant hypertension but not in control subjects. While cause and effect cannot be inferred, the data suggest that aldosterone excess may contribute to OSA severity.
10.1378/chest.06-1442
The Triad of Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Spectrum of Common Pathology.
Aziz Fahad,Chaudhary Kunal
Cardiorenal medicine
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are different entities and are generally managed individually most of the time. However, CKD, OSA, and hypertension share many common risk factors and it is not uncommon to see this complex triad together. In fact, they share similar pathophysiology and have been interlinked with each other. The common pathophysiology includes chronic volume overload, hyperaldosteronism, increased sympathetic activity, endothelial dysfunction, and increased inflammatory markers. The combination of this triad has significant negative impact on the cardiovascular health, and increases the mortality and morbidity in this complicated group of patients. On one hand, progression of CKD can lead to the worsening of OSA and hypertension; similarly, worsening sleep apnea can make the hypertension difficult to treat and enhance the progression of CKD. This review article highlights the bidirectional interlink among these apparently different disease processes which share common pathophysiological mechanisms and emphasizes the importance of treating them collectively to improve outcomes.
10.1159/000450796
Resistant Hypertension Management: Comparison of the 2017 American and 2018 European High Blood Pressure Guidelines.
Grassi Guido,Calhoun David A,Mancia Giuseppe,Carey Robert M
Current hypertension reports
PURPOSE OF REVIEW:To compare European and American guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of resistant hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS:Resistant hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that remains above goal with the use of 3 or more antihypertensive agents, commonly a renin-angiotensin blocker (either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker), a long-acting calcium channel blocker, and thiazide or thiazide-like diuretic. Resistant hypertension is common, with a recent analysis indicating that it affects approximately 17-19% of adult Americans with hypertension. Pseudocauses of apparent resistant hypertension, including inaccurate blood pressure measurement, white coat effect, undertreatment, and poor medication adherence, must be excluded in order to confirm true resistant hypertension. Evaluation of resistant hypertension requires identifying and treating secondary causes of hypertension, including obstructive sleep apnea, primary aldosteronism, and renal artery stenosis. Treatment of resistant hypertension includes a combined use of lifestyle modification and prescription of effective multiple-drug combinations. Preferential use of a long-acting thiazide-like diuretic, either chlorthalidone or indapamide, and a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker, most commonly spironolactone, is recommended if needed to achieve blood pressure control. Aside for small exceptions, European and American guidelines agree in terms of recommendations for diagnosing, evaluating, and treating resistant hypertension.
10.1007/s11906-019-0974-3
Aldosterone excretion among subjects with resistant hypertension and symptoms of sleep apnea.
Calhoun David A,Nishizaka Mari K,Zaman Mohammad A,Harding Susan M
Chest
OBJECTIVE:The severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) correlates with the difficulty of controlling BP. The mechanism, however, by which sleep apnea contributes to the development of resistant hypertension remains obscure. Having observed a high prevalence of OSA among hypertensive subjects with primary hyperaldosteronism, we hypothesized a possible association between sleep apnea and aldosterone excretion. DESIGN:In consecutive subjects referred to a university clinic for resistant hypertension, we prospectively determined plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), and 24-h urinary aldosterone excretion during high dietary salt ingestion. In addition, all subjects completed the Berlin Questionnaire, a survey designed to identify subjects at risk of having sleep apnea. Primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) was defined as a PRA < 1.0 ng/mL/h and 24-h urinary aldosterone excretion > 12 micro g during high urinary sodium excretion (> 200 mEq/24 h). RESULTS:Of the 114 subjects evaluated, 72 subjects had a high probability and 42 subjects had a low probability of having sleep apnea based on their responses to the Berlin Questionnaire. Subjects at high risk for sleep apnea were almost two times more likely to have PA diagnosed (36 vs 19%, p < 0.05), tended to have lower PRA (1.2 +/- 1.8 ng/mL/h vs 1.9 +/- 4.1 ng/mL/h), and had significantly greater 24-h urinary aldosterone excretion (13.6 +/- 9.6 micro g vs 9.8 +/- 7.6 micro g, p < 0.05) compared to subjects at low risk of sleep apnea. CONCLUSION:These data provide evidence of increased aldosterone excretion in subjects with resistant hypertension and symptoms of sleep apnea. While the causality of this association is unknown, it is hypothesized that sleep apnea contributes to the development of resistant hypertension by stimulating aldosterone excretion.
10.1378/chest.125.1.112
Sleep apnea, aldosterone, and resistant hypertension.
Pimenta Eduardo,Calhoun David A,Oparil Suzanne
Progress in cardiovascular diseases
Obstructive sleep apnea, aldosterone excess, and resistant hypertension are common comorbidities in obese patients. The mechanisms that link these conditions are not fully elucidated, but sympathetic nervous system activation, sodium retention, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system stimulation, endothelial dysfunction, and increased production of reactive oxidative species may be contributing factors. Patients diagnosed with this triad should be treated with low-salt diet, weight-loss counseling, and continuous positive airway pressure, as well as aggressive antihypertensive therapy, usually with multiple agents, including a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. Patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma may require adrenalectomy.
10.1016/j.pcad.2008.02.004
The Demystification of Secondary Hypertension: Diagnostic Strategies and Treatment Algorithms.
Hirsch Jamie S,Hong Susana
Current treatment options in cardiovascular medicine
PURPOSE OF REVIEW:Hypertension is one of the most common conditions encountered in the primary care setting, affecting 32-46% of people. While essential or primary hypertension is the most common form of the disease, secondary hypertension is quite prevalent, occurring in 10-20% of patients with hypertension. Accurately diagnosing secondary hypertension is a challenging and often time-consuming process that requires considerable expertise and effort. However, once the secondary etiology is identified, the patient benefits profoundly from a potentially curative treatment that may lead to significant improvements in quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. RECENT FINDINGS:Common causes of secondary hypertension include medication-induced hypertension, renal parenchymal disease, renovascular hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and primary aldosteronism. Other rarer forms include mineralocorticoid-driven hypertension or its mimics, as well as hypercortisolism and pheochromocytoma. Although complex, standard protocols have emerged for investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions. The current review aims to elucidate the many causes of secondary hypertension and describe their respective prevalence, clinical presentation, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. By demystifying secondary hypertension, it is hoped that this disease will be more easily identified and treated so that the associated cardiovascular morbidity and end-organ damage may be mitigated.
10.1007/s11936-019-0790-8
Severity of obstructive sleep apnea is related to aldosterone status in subjects with resistant hypertension.
Gonzaga Carolina C,Gaddam Krishna K,Ahmed Mustafa I,Pimenta Eduardo,Thomas S Justin,Harding Susan M,Oparil Suzanne,Cofield Stacey S,Calhoun David A
Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
BACKGROUND:We previously described a significant correlation between plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with resistant hypertension. This investigation examines the relationship between aldosterone status and OSA in patients with resistant hypertensive-with and without hyperaldosteronism. METHODS AND RESULTS:One hundred and nine consecutive patients with resistant hypertension were prospectively evaluated with plasma renin activity (PRA), PAC, 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion (UAldo), and polysomnography. Hyperaldosteronism (PRA < 1 ng x mL(-1) x h(-1) and UAldo > or = 12 microg/24-h) prevalence was 28% and OSA prevalence was 77%. In patients with hyperaldosteronism, OSA prevalence was 84%, compared with 74% in hypertensive patients with normal aldosterone levels. There were no significant differences in body mass index or neck circumference between aldosterone groups. PAC and UAldo were both significantly correlated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in the high-aldosterone group (p = 0.568, p = 0.0009; p = 0.533, p = 0.002, respectively). UAldo correlated weakly with apnea-hypopnea index in the normal-aldosterone group, but there was no significant correlation between PAC and AHI in the normal-aldosterone group (p = 0.224, p = 0.049; p = 0.015, p = 0.898, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:Our analysis of patients with resistant hypertension confirms a markedly high prevalence of OSA in this group. Furthermore, severity of OSA was greater in those patients with hyperaldosteronism and related to the degree of aldosterone excess. The correlation between OSA severity and aldosterone supports the hypothesis that aldosterone excess contributes to greater severity of OSA.
Detection of Secondary Causes and Coexisting Diseases in Hypertensive Patients: OSA and PA Are the Common Causes Associated with Hypertension.
BioMed research international
BACKGROUND:Since the control rate of blood pressure is lower in mainland China, the aim of this study is to investigate the proportion of secondary causes and coexisting diseases of hypertension in hypertensive patients. METHODS:Data on consecutive patients with hypertension who visited the Hypertension Center. Diseases were detected using an established strict screening protocol. RESULTS:Detection rate of secondary causes and coexisting diseases of hypertension was 39.5% among 3003 hypertensive patients. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was the most common, accounting for 24.7% of patients, followed by primary aldosteronism (PA) (5.8%) and PA + OSA (4.9%). Endocrine hypertension accounted for 12.1% of patients, including 10.7% of patients with PA, 1.1% with hypothyroidism, 0.1% with pheochromocytoma, 0.1% with Cushing's syndrome, and 0.1% with hyperthyroidism, respectively. Those who smoke, those who are obese, and those who have diabetes accounted for 31.3%, 27.5%, and 16.6% of total patients, respectively. There were overlapping conditions in secondary causes and coexisting diseases of hypertension. OSA was the most common in each age- and BMI-stratified group. CONCLUSION:Findings from the current study suggest an increasing frequency of secondary forms of hypertension, highlighting the burden of OSA and PA in hypertensive patients.
10.1155/2017/8295010
Resistant hypertension and aldosterone: an update.
Clark Donald,Ahmed Mustafa I,Calhoun David A
The Canadian journal of cardiology
Resistant hypertension (RHTN) is defined as a blood pressure remaining above goal despite the concurrent use of 3 antihypertensive medications of different classes, including, ideally a diuretic. RHTN is an important health problem with a prevalence rate expected to increase as populations become older, more obese, and at higher risk of having diabetes and chronic kidney disease, all of which are important risk factors for development of RHTN. The role of aldosterone has gained increasing recognition as a significant contributor to antihypertensive treatment resistance. In prospective studies, the prevalence of primary aldosteronism (PA) has ranged from 14%-21% in patients with RHTN, which is considerably higher than in the general hypertensive population. Furthermore, marked antihypertensive effects are seen when mineralocorticoid antagonists are added to the treatment regimen of patients with RHTN, further supporting aldosterone excess as an important cause of RHTN. A close association exists between hyperaldosteronism, RHTN, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) based upon recent studies which indicate that OSA is worsened by aldosterone-mediated fluid retention. This interaction is supported by preliminary data which demonstrates improvement in OSA severity after treatment with spironolactone.
10.1016/j.cjca.2012.03.010
Resistant Hypertension: Diagnosis and Management.
Nagarajan Nagalakshmi,Jalal Diana
Advances in chronic kidney disease
Resistant hypertension is defined as high blood pressure requiring 3 or more medications for adequate control or controlled blood pressure requiring 4 or more medications. Considering the growing prevalence of hypertension and the strong link with cardiovascular disease, it is vital to understand the causes and treatment of resistant hypertension. This review article starts with an overview of the prevalence and little-known pathophysiology of resistant hypertension. Afterward, we discuss the evaluation and management of suspected secondary resistant hypertension in 2 broad categories: pseudoresistant hypertension and true resistant hypertension. Strategies for the identification and management of pseudoresistant hypertension are addressed. In addition, causes of true resistant hypertension, such as obstructive sleep apnea, primary aldosteronism, and renal artery stenosis, are examined along with their respective treatments. Finally, treatment of resistant hypertension is reviewed including pharmacologic treatments and novel procedural interventions for resistant hypertension. Overall, the review hopes to provide practitioners with a cohesive approach for the diagnosis and treatment of resistant hypertension.
10.1053/j.ackd.2019.03.002
Role of Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Metabolic Syndrome.
Valaiyapathi Badhma,Calhoun David A
Current hypertension reports
PURPOSE OF REVIEW:This review will summarize recent developments in the research on the mineralocorticoid receptor and its impact on obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS:Aldosterone excess plays an important role in the association between resistant hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea. The prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly worldwide and is especially common among patients with obstructive sleep apnea, resistant hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, suggesting probable mechanistic links between these three conditions. Mineralocorticoid receptor expression is increased in obese individuals, which may contribute to the common association between obesity and hyperaldosteronism. Mineralocorticoid receptor blockers reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea among resistant hypertension patients. A large body of literature demonstrates a strong association between obesity, hyperaldosteronism, resistant hypertension, and sleep apnea, including specific benefit of treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor blockers for these separate disorders.
10.1007/s11906-018-0819-5
Obstructive sleep apnea: the most common secondary cause of hypertension associated with resistant hypertension.
Pedrosa Rodrigo P,Drager Luciano F,Gonzaga Carolina C,Sousa Marcio G,de Paula Lílian K G,Amaro Aline C S,Amodeo Celso,Bortolotto Luiz A,Krieger Eduardo M,Bradley T Douglas,Lorenzi-Filho Geraldo
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
Recognition and treatment of secondary causes of hypertension among patients with resistant hypertension may help to control blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk. However, there are no studies systematically evaluating secondary causes of hypertension according to the Seventh Joint National Committee. Consecutive patients with resistant hypertension were investigated for known causes of hypertension irrespective of symptoms and signs, including aortic coarctation, Cushing syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, drugs, pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism, renal parenchymal disease, renovascular hypertension, and thyroid disorders. Among 125 patients (age: 52±1 years, 43% males, systolic and diastolic blood pressure: 176±31 and 107±19 mm Hg, respectively), obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index: >15 events per hour) was the most common condition associated with resistant hypertension (64.0%), followed by primary aldosteronism (5.6%), renal artery stenosis (2.4%), renal parenchymal disease (1.6%), oral contraceptives (1.6%), and thyroid disorders (0.8%). In 34.4%, no secondary cause of hypertension was identified (primary hypertension). Two concomitant secondary causes of hypertension were found in 6.4% of patients. Age >50 years (odds ratio: 5.2 [95% CI: 1.9-14.2]; P<0.01), neck circumference ≥41 cm for women and ≥43 cm for men (odds ratio: 4.7 [95% CI: 1.3-16.9]; P=0.02), and presence of snoring (odds ratio: 3.7 [95% CI: 1.3-11]; P=0.02) were predictors of obstructive sleep apnea. In conclusion, obstructive sleep apnea appears to be the most common condition associated with resistant hypertension. Age >50 years, large neck circumference measurement, and snoring are good predictors of obstructive sleep apnea in this population.
10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.179788
Positive relationship of sleep apnea to hyperaldosteronism in an ethnically diverse population.
Sim John J,Yan Eric H,Liu In Lu A,Rasgon Scott A,Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar,Calhoun David A,Derose Stephen F
Journal of hypertension
OBJECTIVE:Approximately, 50-60% of patients with sleep apnea have hypertension. To explore a mechanism of this relationship, we compared its prevalence in a hypertensive population with and without hyperaldosteronism. METHODS:Using the Kaiser Permanente Southern California database, hypertensive individuals who had plasma aldosterone and plasma renin activity measured between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2007 were evaluated. Hyperaldosteronism was defined as an aldosterone : renin ratio more than 30 and plasma aldosterone more than 20 ng/dl or an aldosterone : renin ratio more than 50 (ng/dl : ng/ml per h). Hypertension was identified by International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) coding and sleep apnea was defined by ICD-9 coding or procedural coding for dispensation of positive airway devices. RESULTS:Of 3428 hypertensive patients, 575 (17%) had hyperaldosteronism. Sleep apnea was present in 18% (105) with hyperaldosteronism vs. 9% (251) without hyperaldosteronism (P < 0.001). Odds ratio for sleep apnea in patients with hyperaldosteronism was 1.8 (95% confidence interval 1.3-2.6) after controlling for other sleep apnea risk factors. No ethnic group was at greater risk for sleep apnea. CONCLUSION:The prevalence of sleep apnea in a diverse hypertensive population is increased in patients with hyperaldosteronism, even when controlling for other sleep apnea risk factors.
10.1097/HJH.0b013e3283492219
Primary aldosteronism: who should be screened?
Monticone S,Viola A,Tizzani D,Crudo V,Burrello J,Galmozzi M,Veglio F,Mulatero P
Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme
Primary aldosteronism (PA) has a prevalence in the general hypertensive population from 5 to 10%, and is widely recognized as the most frequent form of secondary hypertension. The 2 main PA subtypes are aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH) that account for 95% of all PA cases. The diagnosis of PA is a 3-step process that comprises screening, confirmatory testing, and subtype differentiation. The different categories of patients at an increased risk of PA who should thus undergo a screening test were described in the first Endocrine Society (ES) Practice Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of PA published in 2008. These categories include patients with Joint National Committee Stage 2, Stage 3, or drug-resistant hypertension; hypertension, and spontaneous or diuretic-induced hypokalemia; hypertension with adrenal incidentaloma; hypertension and a family history of early-onset hypertension or cerebrovascular accident at a young age and all hypertensive first degree relatives of patients with PA. Recently, a growing number of studies have linked PA with the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea that may be partly responsible for the higher rate of cardio and cerobrovascular accidents in PA patients. The aim of this review is to discuss, which patients should be screened for PA, focusing not only on the well-established categories of the ES Guidelines, but also on additional other group of patients with a potentially high prevalence of PA that has emerged from recent research.
10.1055/s-0031-1295409
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in patients with sleep apnoea: prevalence of primary aldosteronism.
Di Murro A,Petramala L,Cotesta D,Zinnamosca L,Crescenzi E,Marinelli C,Saponara M,Letizia C
Journal of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system : JRAAS
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of oxygen desaturation during sleep, representing an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure and resistant hypertension. Several neurohormonal mechanisms have been suggested to account for blood pressure increases, such as sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity, oxidative stress, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation, endothelin system activation, and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behaviour of RAAS and the presence of primary aldosteronism (PA) in these patients and possible correlations between RAAS and the severity of OSA. From October 2007 to November 2008 we studied 325 consecutive newly diagnosed hypertensive patients; 71 patients (21.8%) presented with clinical signs of sleep disorders, evaluated also through a specific questionnaire (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). In hypertensive patients with sleep disorders, 53 patients were affected by OSA; in this group 18 patients were affected by PA (five with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and 13 with bilateral hyperplasia (IHA)); obesity was also demonstrated (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)). Overall, in patients with OSA PRA levels correlated positively with apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI; r = 0.35; p<0.01), and in all groups the waist circumference and the neck circumference were correlated positively with AHI (r = 0.3 p<0.02 and r = 0.3 p<0.03, respectively). We revealed a high prevalence of PA in patients with OSA, and we can conclude that patients with hypertension and OSA, especially those who are newly diagnosed, must be evaluated for PA.
10.1177/1470320310366581
Associations between primary aldosteronism and diabetes, poor bone health, and sleep apnea-what do we know so far?
Loh Huai Heng,Sukor Norlela
Journal of human hypertension
Primary aldosteronism (PA), the most common cause of secondary hypertension, is a well-recognized condition that can lead to cardiovascular and renal complications. PA is frequently left undiagnosed and untreated, leading to aldosterone-specific morbidity and mortality. In this review we highlight the evidence linking PA with other conditions such as (i) diabetes mellitus, (ii) obstructive sleep apnea, and (iii) bone health, along with clinical implications and proposed underlying mechanisms.
10.1038/s41371-019-0294-8
[Clinical Characteristics of Aldosterone Producing Adenoma and Idiopathic Hyperaldosteronism with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome].
Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical characteristics of aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) complicated with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and the effect of OSAHS on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in APA and IHA patients. METHODS:The clinical data of 127 patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) diagnosed from May 2010 to Aug. 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 70 cases of APA, 53 cases of IHA. Another 4 cases were primary adrenal hyperplasia (PAH), so not included into further analysis. According to the results of polysomnography, the 123 patients of APA or IHA were divided into OSAHS group (96 cases) and non-OSAHS group (27 cases ). The patients with OSAHS were divided into mild, moderate and severe subgroups based on apnea hypopnea index (AHI).The clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters, plasma renin activity, aldosterone levels, and the ratio of aldosterone to renin activity (ARR) in the patients of APA and IHA complicated with OSAHS were compared with those of the patients without OSAHS. RESULTS:There were 49 OSAHS cases (49/70, 70.0%) in APA patients. and 47 OSAHS cases (47/53, 88.7%) in IHA patients. The age, male ratio, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triglyceride, blood uric acid, and blood creatinine in APA patients with OSAHS were higher than those in APA patients without OSAHS ( <0.05), while high-density lipoprotein and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were lower ( <0.05). Compared to the patients without OSAHS, IHA-OSAHS patients had higher BMI and waist circumference ( <0.05). Moderate/severe OSAHS-APA patients exhibited higher plasma renin activity levels and lower ARR values than the APA patients with no/mild OSAHS ( <0.05). There were no significant differences in plasma renin activity, aldosterone levels, and ARR values between moderate/severe OSAHS-IHA group and no/mild OSAHS-IHA group. CONCLUSION:The prevalence of OSAHS is significantly higher in the patients with PA than normal population, and OSAHS may aggravate glycose, lipid and uric acid metabolism in PA patients. Moderate/severe OSAHS can increase renin levels and decrease ARR values in APA patients, but has no significant effect on RAAS in IHA patients.
10.12182/20200560602
Primary aldosteronism is highly prevalent in patients with hypertension and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Dobrowolski Piotr,Kołodziejczyk-Kruk Sylwia,Warchoł-Celińska Ewa,Kabat Marek,Ambroziak Urszula,Wróbel Aleksandra,Piekarczyk Piotr,Ostrowska Aleksandra,Januszewicz Magdalena,Śliwiński Paweł,Lenders Jacques W M,Januszewicz Andrzej,Prejbisz Aleksander
Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
STUDY OBJECTIVES:It has been suggested that there might be a pathophysiological link and overlap between primary aldosteronism (PA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Therefore, in a prospective study, we evaluated the frequency of PA in hypertensive patients suspected of having OSA. METHODS:We included 207 consecutive hypertensive patients (mean age 53.2 ± 12.1 years, 133 M, 74 F) referred for polysomnography on the basis of one or more of the following clinical features: typical OSA symptoms, resistant or difficult-to-treat hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. PA was diagnosed based on thew saline infusion test. RESULTS:Moderate-to-severe OSA was diagnosed in 94 patients (45.4% of the whole group). PA was diagnosed in 20 patients with OSA (21.3%) compared with 9 patients in the group without OSA (8.0%; P = .006). PA was also frequent in patients in whom symptoms of OSA were a sole indication for PA screening (15.4%) and in patients with and without resistant hypertension (24.5% and 17.8%, respectively). Most patients with PA and OSA were diagnosed with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (18 patients, 90%). There were no major differences in clinical characteristics between patients with OSA with PA and those without PA. In multivariate models, moderate-to-severe OSA predicted the presence of PA (odds ratio 2.89, P = .018). CONCLUSIONS:Patients with clinically important moderate-to-severe OSA are characterized by a relatively high frequency of PA. Our results support the recommendations to screen patients with moderate-to-severe OSA for PA, regardless of the presence of other indications for PA screening.
10.5664/jcsm.8960
[Prevalence and clinical characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism].
Mei M,Feng Z P,Song Y,He W W,Cheng Q F,Yang S M,Hu J B,Wang K R,Xu Z X,Du Z P,Li Q F
Zhonghua nei ke za zhi
To explore the proportion of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in primary aldosteronism (PA) in Chinese population and compare the clinical characteristics between PA patients with OSA and those without. A total of 96 patients diagnosed with PA from September 2015 to November 2018 were recruited in this study. OSA was screened by cardio-respiratory polygraphy. According to the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), the patients were divided into PA with OSA group (AHI ≥5 times) and PA without OSA group (AHI<5 times). Among all patients (96), 69 (71.9%) were with OSA, among them 22 patients (22.9%) were with mild OSA, 17 patients (17.7%) were with moderate OSA and 30 patients (31.3%) were with severe OSA. Compared with the patients without OSA, the patients with OSA were elder, and had higher levels of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), creatinine (CR) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (<0.05), but lower concentrations of plasma aldosterone (PAC), supine aldosterone renin concentration ratio(ARR) and the PAC after the diagnosis test (<0.05). Spearman correlation analyses showed that BMI, WC, HC, CR and HbA1c were positively correlated with AHI (<0.05), while high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C), supine-PAC and saline infusion test(SIT)-post PAC were negatively correlated with AHI (<0.05). The proportion of OSA in PA patients is relatively high (71.9%). Metabolic abnormalities are more common in PA patients with OSA, indicating that screening for OSA should be carried out routinely in PA patients.
10.3760/cma.j.cn112138-20191212-00813
Diagnosing and Managing Primary Aldosteronism in Hypertensive Patients: a Case-Based Approach.
Carey Robert M
Current cardiology reports
Primary aldosteronism with a prevalence of 8 % of hypertension and 20 % of pharmacologically resistant hypertension is the most common secondary cause of hypertension. Yet, the diagnosis is missed in the vast majority of patients. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend screening for primary aldosteronism in patients with sustained elevation of blood pressure (BP) ≥150/100 mmHg if possible prior to initiation of antihypertensive therapy, and in patients with resistant hypertension, spontaneous or diuretic-induced hypokalemia, adrenal incidentaloma, obstructive sleep apnea, a family history of early onset of hypertension or cerebrovascular accident <age 40, and first-degree relatives of patients with primary aldosteronism. Clinical and laboratory methods of screening, confirmatory testing, subtype classification, and medical and surgical management are systematically reviewed and illustrated with a clinical case.
10.1007/s11886-016-0774-1
Primary Aldosteronism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Casual Association or Pathophysiological Link?
Pecori Alessio,Buffolo Fabrizio,Pieroni Jacopo,Forestiero Vittorio,Sconfienza Elisa,Veglio Franco,Mulatero Paolo,Monticone Silvia
Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme
The coexistence of aldosterone oversecretion and obstructive sleep apnea is frequently observed, especially in patients with resistant hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Since aldosterone excess and sleep apnea are both independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, to investigate whether their coexistence might be attributed to common predisposing conditions, such as metabolic disorders, or to an actual pathophysiological interconnection appears of great importance. Fluid overload and metabolic abnormalities relating to aldosterone oversecretion may be implicated in obstructive sleep apnea development. Nocturnal intermittent hypoxia may in turn exacerbate renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity, thus leading to hyperaldosteronism. Furthermore, fat tissue excess and adipocyte secretory products might predispose to both sleep apnea and aldosterone oversecretion in subjects with obesity. Consistent with these evidences, obstructive sleep apnea frequently affects patients with primary aldosteronism. Conversely, whether primary aldosteronism is more prevalent in individuals affected by obstructive sleep apnea compared to the general population remains controversial.
10.1055/a-1133-7255
Sleep quality in patients with primary aldosteronism.
Hanusch Franziska M,Fischer Evelyn,Lang Katharina,Diederich Sven,Endres Stephan,Allolio Bruno,Beuschlein Felix,Reincke Martin,Quinkler Marcus
Hormones (Athens, Greece)
OBJECTIVE:In subjects at high risk for sleep apnea (SA), aldosterone concentrations correlate with severity of SA and primary aldosteronism (PA) is very often diagnosed. Patients with PA show a high prevalence of SA. Treatment of PA either by adrenalectomy (ADX) or mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blockade is thought to abolish the increased comorbidities. However, no data are available regarding effectiveness of different PA treatments on quality of sleep. DESIGN:This prospective multi-center study included 15 patients with newly diagnosed PA evaluated before and 0.7 ± 0.2 years after treatment initiation, and a second cohort including 81 patients who were evaluated 5.3 and 6.8 years after treatment initiation. Biochemical parameters, 24h blood pressure and three validated self-assessment questionnaires (Giessen Complaint List (GBB-24), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality-Index (PSQI)) were analyzed. RESULTS:Z-scores of exhaustion tendency of GBB significantly improved in newly diagnosed PA patients after treatment initiation (1.8 ± 1.4 vs. 1.0 ± 1.2, p=0.034). In the second cohort no differences were found in GBB-24, ESS and PSQI. No differences were found in all three questionnaires independently of type of PA therapy. However, female patients scored significantly higher than males in the PSQI (8.7 ± 3.6 vs 5.7 ± 4.2, p<0.005), indicating lower sleep quality, independently of the type of therapy. CONCLUSIONS:For the first time, we analyzed quality of sleep in patients with PA, demonstrating that therapy initiation improves exhaustion tendency. Surprisingly, female PA patients showed significantly more sleep disturbances than male PA patients several years after treatment initiation.
10.1007/BF03401320
Keeping primary aldosteronism in mind: Deficiencies in screening at-risk hypertensives.
Ruhle Brian C,White Michael G,Alsafran Salman,Kaplan Edwin L,Angelos Peter,Grogan Raymon H
Surgery
BACKGROUND:Primary aldosteronism is a common but underdiagnosed cause of hypertension. Patients with this disorder have worse morbidity compared with those with essential hypertension, but with timely diagnosis and appropriate intervention these patients are potentially cured and may have reversal of target organ damage. The goal of this study was to determine if hypertensive patients considered high risk were checked for primary aldosteronism. METHODS:We reviewed electronic health records to identify patients age 18 years or older with coexisting hypertension and hypokalemia or hypertension and sleep apnea, then determined if they had been investigated with measurement of aldosterone or renin. We built regression models to identify explanatory variables for screening in these 2 high-risk groups. RESULTS:Of nearly 37,000 patients with hypertension and hypokalemia, only 2.7% were ever screened for primary aldosteronism. Most opportunities for case detection were during inpatient hospitalizations, yet in this setting, patients were less likely than clinic patients be screened. Similarly, 3.0% of hypertensive patients with sleep apnea were screened since the inclusion of this group in case detection recommendations. CONCLUSION:Uptake of practice guidelines by hospital physicians, fueled by support from their specialty societies, may help to identify many more patients with unrecognized primary aldosteronism.
10.1016/j.surg.2018.05.085
Primary Aldosteronism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Is This A Bidirectional Relationship?
Prejbisz Aleksander,Kołodziejczyk-Kruk Sylwia,Lenders Jacques W M,Januszewicz Andrzej
Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme
It has been suggested that the high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in resistant hypertension (RHT) may be related to the high prevalence of primary aldosteronism (PA) in patients with RHT. It has been also hypothesized that the relationship between aldosterone and OSA might be bidirectional. In patients with RHT, it has been shown that aldosterone levels correlate with severity of OSA and that blockade of aldosterone reduces the severity of OSA. It has been postulated that aldosterone worsens OSA by promoting accumulation of fluid, which shifted in the supine position to the neck, contributes to increased upper airway resistance. Also there is growing data that PA is more frequent in patients with OSA and that the treatment of PA positively influences OSA course. Also in some studies it has been shown that patients with OSA are characterized by higher aldosterone levels and higher prevalence of PA than patients without OSA and that causal treatment of OSA might decrease aldosterone levels. Moreover, the recent guideline of the Endocrine Society on management of PA recommends to screen hypertensive patients with OSA for PA.
10.1055/s-0043-122887
Treatment of Primary Aldosteronism Reduces the Probability of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Wang Elizabeth,Chomsky-Higgins Kathryn,Chen Yufei,Nwaogu Iheoma,Seib Carolyn D,Shen Wen T,Duh Quan-Yang,Suh Insoo
The Journal of surgical research
BACKGROUND:Aldosterone excess is hypothesized to worsen obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms by promoting peripharyngeal edema. However, the extent to which primary aldosteronism (PA), hypertension, and body mass index (BMI) influence OSA pathogenesis remains unclear. METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study of PA patients from our endocrine database to retrospectively evaluate OSA probability before and after adrenalectomy or medical management of PA. A control group of patients undergoing adrenalectomy for nonfunctioning benign adrenal masses was also evaluated. We categorized patients as high or low OSA probability after evaluation with the Berlin Questionnaire, a validated 10-question survey that explores sleep, fatigue, hypertension, and BMI. RESULTS:We interviewed 91 patients (83 PA patients and eight control patients). Median follow-up time was 2.6 y. The proportion of high OSA probability in all PA patients decreased from 64% to 35% after treatment for PA (mean Berlin score 1.64 versus 1.35, P < 0.001). This decline correlated with improvements in hypertension (P < 0.001) and fatigue symptoms (P = 0.03). Both surgical (n = 48; 1.69 versus 1.33, P < 0.001) and medical (n = 35; 1.57 versus 1.37, P = 0.03) treatment groups demonstrated reduced OSA probability. BMI remained unchanged after PA treatment (29.1 versus 28.6, P = nonsignificant), and the impact of treatment on OSA probability was independent of BMI. The control surgical group showed no change in OSA probability after adrenalectomy (1.25 versus 1.25, P = nonsignificant). CONCLUSIONS:Both surgical and medical treatments of PA reduce sleep apnea probability independent of BMI and are associated with improvements in hypertension and fatigue. Improved screening for PA could reduce OSA burden.
10.1016/j.jss.2018.10.040
Treatment of primary aldosteronism is associated with a reduction in the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea.
Wolley M J,Pimenta E,Calhoun D,Gordon R D,Cowley D,Stowasser M
Journal of human hypertension
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is known to commonly co-exist with primary aldosteronism (PA), but it is unknown if treatment of PA improves sleep apnoea parameters in these patients. We therefore aimed to determine whether specific medical or surgical treatment of PA improves OSA, as measured by the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI). We recruited patients undergoing diagnostic workup for PA if they had symptoms suggestive of OSA. Patients with confirmed PA underwent polysomnography (PSG) at baseline and again at least 3 months after specific treatment for PA. Of 34 patients with PA, 7 (21%) had no evidence of OSA (AHI <5), 9 (26%) had mild (AHI ⩾5 and <15), 8 (24%) moderate (AHI ⩾15 and <30) and 10 (29%) severe OSA (AHI ⩾30). Body mass index tertile, neck circumference and 24 h urinary sodium correlated with the AHI. Twenty patients had repeat PSG performed after treatment for PA (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in 13 with bilateral PA and adrenalectomy in 7 with unilateral PA). In this group the median (s.d.) AHI reduced from 22.5 (14.7) to 12.3 (12.1) (P=0.02). Neck circumference reduced with PA treatment (41.6 vs 41.2 cm, P=0.012). OSA is common in patients with primary aldosteronism and may improve with specific therapy for this disease. Aldosterone and sodium-mediated fluid retention in the upper airways and neck region may be a potential mechanism for this relationship.
10.1038/jhh.2017.28
Primary Aldosteronism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Ethnic Study.
Buffolo Fabrizio,Li Qifu,Monticone Silvia,Heinrich Daniel A,Mattei Alessio,Pieroni Jacopo,Mei Mei,Yang Shumin,Hu Ya-Hui,Yang Mei-Chen,Sabbadin Chiara,Pizzolo Francesca,Giacchetti Gilberta,Fallo Francesco,Veglio Franco,Reincke Martin,Wu Vin-Cent,Mulatero Paolo
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
The association between primary aldosteronism (PA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been a matter of debate. 2016 Endocrine Society guideline recommends screening for PA all hypertensive patients with OSA. We designed a multicenter, multiethnic, cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of PA in patients with OSA and the prevalence of OSA in unselected patients with PA. Two hundred and three patients with OSA (102 whites and 101 Chinese) were screened for PA, and 207 patients with PA (104 whites, 100 Chinese, and 3 of African descent) were screened for OSA by cardiorespiratory polygraphy. Eighteen patients with OSA (8.9%) had PA (11.8% of white and 5.9% of Chinese ethnicity). In patients without other indications for PA screening, the prevalence of PA dropped to 1.5%. The prevalence of OSA in patients with PA was 67.6%, consistent in both white and Chinese patients. A correlation between aldosterone levels and apnea/hypopnea index was observed in white patients with PA (=0.225, =0.016) but not in Chinese patients. Multinomial logistic regression confirmed a significant and independent association between plasma aldosterone levels and moderate to severe OSA diagnosis in white patients (odds ratio, 1.002; =0.002). In conclusion, aldosterone levels may contribute to the severity of OSA in white patients with hyperaldosteronism, but patients with OSA are not at high risk of PA. Results of the present study challenge the current recommendation of the Endocrine Society guideline that all patients with OSA should be screened for PA, irrespective of the grade of hypertension.
10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.13833
Clinical characteristics of snoring patients with primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.
Li Mingyan,Ge Qian,Sheng Chang-Sheng,Zhang Jin,Li Hua,Niu Wenquan,Tang Xiaofeng,Xu Jianzhong,Gao Ping-Jin,Wang Ji-Guang,Zhu Limin
Journal of human hypertension
The 2016 guideline on the work-up of primary aldosteronism recommended that patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS) be screened. This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of snoring patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) complicated by OSAS. Sixty-eight self-reported or witnessed snoring patients and 609 non-snoring patients diagnosed with PA between 2010 and 2015 were recruited in this retrospective study. Compared to non-snoring patients, snoring patients had significantly (P < 0.05) higher body mass index (BMI), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and serum and urinary sodium, as well as lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Moreover, snoring patients exhibited significantly (P < 0.01) higher plasma renin activity levels and lower plasma aldosterone levels and aldosterone-to-renin activity ratios (ARRs) than patients with PA alone. When age, sex, duration of hypertension, and BMI were matched between groups, snoring patients still showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher plasma renin activity, serum and urinary sodium, and lower ARR and eGFR than those in the PA-only group. All 68 snoring patients underwent polysomnography, with 7 having mild (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 and <15), 21 moderate (AHI ≥ 15 and <30), and 40 severe (AHI ≥ 30) OSAS. The BMI of patients with OSAS was negatively correlated with the lowest SaO (r = -0.318, P = 0.018) but not with the AHI. In conclusion, snoring patients with PA tend to have increased BMI and DBP, as well as decreased eGFR and ARR. Snoring patients with PA had higher prevalence of moderate-to-severe OSAS.
10.1038/s41371-019-0208-9