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NCT Number: NCT01728493

Primary Aldosteronism in General Practice: Organ Damage, Epidemiology and Treatment

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent form of secondary hypertension. It is caused by autonomous secretion of aldosterone, encompassing a group of disorders which is for 99% predominated by unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH). Diagnosis of PA is relevant for two reasons:

1. independent of the level of blood pressure, hypertension due to autonomous aldosterone secretion causes more cardiovascular damage than essential hypertension; 2. PA requires specific treatment: adrenalectomy in case of APA and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in case of BAH.

Although previously presumed a rare condition (prevalence <1%), PA is now estimated to affect 6 to 20% of the hypertensive population. Given this high prevalence of PA, as well as the amount of cardiovascular damage and the available specific treatment, the question is raised whether screening of PA should be introduced in Dutch general practice. To answer this important question, several issues with regard to PA need to be elucidated:

1. International studies report a prevalence of PA in general practice of 6-13%. Prevalence in the Dutch population is still unknown; 2. Because of underdiagnosis of PA and long delay in diagnosis of PA after recognition of hypertension (mean eight years), data on characteristics of early diagnosed PA are lacking. Proof of early cardiovascular damage would strengthen the case of screening for PA and needs to be studied; 3. Consequently, the diagnostic delay has lead to lack of data on optimal treatment in early PA. In the current guideline (NHG-guideline 'Cardiovascular risk management') a regimen of antihypertensive drugs is advised, and only if hypertension is refractory for >6 months patients are referred. It is unknown if hypertension is resistant to therapy in the initial phase of PA. If not, this would also argue for early biochemical screening for PA, because even if blood pressure is controlled, the detrimental effect of aldosterone itself will go on unopposed. It is therefore required to study the response to antihypertensive drugs (not MRA) in these patients.

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Key information

Conditions

Primary Aldosteronism Adrenal Gland Diseases Adrenocortical Hyperfunction Endocrine System Diseases Hyperaldosteronism Primary Hyperaldosteronism

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Radboud university medical center

Nijmegen, Gelderland, 6500 HB, Netherlands

About this study

Rationale: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent form of secondary hypertension. It is caused by autonomous secretion of aldosterone, encompassing a group of disorders which is for more than 99% predominated by unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH). Diagnosis of PA is relevant for two reasons: 1) independent of the level of blood pressure, hypertension due to autonomous aldosterone secretion causes more cardiovascular damage than essential hypertension; 2) PA requires specific treatment: adrenalectomy in case of APA and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) in case of BAH.

Although previously presumed a rare condition (prevalence <1%), PA is now estimated to affect 6 to 20% of the hypertensive population. Given this high prevalence of PA, as well as the amount of cardiovascular damage and the available specific treatment, the question has been raised whether screening of PA should be introduced in Dutch general practice. To answer this important question, several issues with regard to PA need to be elucidated:

  • International studies report a prevalence of PA in general practice of 6-13%. Prevalence in the Dutch population is still unknown;
  • Up to now, the laboratory test for screening for PA, the aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR), is primarily used in secondary care. The relation between the ARR and outcomes in primary care is unknown;
  • Because of underdiagnosis of PA and long delay in diagnosis of PA after recognition of hypertension (mean eight years), data on characteristics of early diagnosed PA are lacking. Indications of early cardiovascular damage would strengthen the case of screening for PA and needs to be studied.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Part 1:

  • Newly diagnosed hypertensive patients (according to the NHG-guideline 'Cardiovascular risk management');
  • 18 years or older;
  • No use of antihypertensive medication.

Part 2:

  • Patients with increased aldosterone/renin ratio;
  • Positive sodium loading test;
  • Written informed consent.

Part 2 + 3:

  • Patients with normal aldosterone/renin ratio;
  • Normal ARR;
  • Written informed consent.

Part 3:

  • Patients with increased aldosterone/renin ratio;
  • Positive sodium loading test;
  • Normokalemic;
  • Written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Use of antihypertensive medication;
  • Heart failure class II, III or IV (according to the New York Heart Association);
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. PAGODE part 1: prevalence

    Time frame: 4 months

    Prevalence of primary aldosteronism in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients in Dutch general practice.

  2. PAGODE part 2: organ damage

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Difference in cardiorenovascular damage in patients with versus without primary aldosteronism, based on a composite of the following parameters:

    • Left ventricular mass index in g/m2;
    • Intima-media thickness of carotid artery in mm;
    • Pulse wave velocity in m/s;
    • Central aortic blood pressure in mmHg;
    • Flow-mediated dilation in %;
    • Albuminuria in mg albumin per mmol creatinin.

  3. PAGODE part 3: blood pressure regulation

    Time frame: 4 months

    Difference in reduction of daytime systolic ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) in patients with normokalemic primary aldosteronism versus patients with essential hypertension in a standardized treatment regimen during conventional antihypertensive therapy.

Secondary outcomes

  1. PAGODE part 2: organ damage

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    To observe differences between newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with versus without primary aldosteronism in:

    • Serum potassium;
    • Low density lipoprotein;
    • Total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein ratio.

  2. PAGODE part 3: blood pressure regulation

    Time frame: 4 months

    To observe differences between newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with versus without primary aldosteronism in:

    • Reduction of daytime systolic ABPM in patients with primary aldosteronism versus patients with essential hypertension in a standardized treatment regimen during spironolactone (or eplerenone);
    • Serum potassium response using conventional antihypertensive medication;
    • Adverse effects using conventional antihypertensive medication;
    • Serum potassium response using spironolactone (or eplerenone);
    • Adverse effects using spironolactone (or eplerenone).

Other outcomes

  1. PAGODE part 2: organ damage

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    To observe differences between newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with versus without primary aldosteronism in:

    • Serum sodium;
    • Serum glucose;
    • Diastolic blood pressure.

  2. PAGODE part 3: blood pressure regulation

    Time frame: 4 months

    To observe differences between newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with versus without primary aldosteronism in:

    • Reduction in 24 hour ABPM using conventional antihypertensive medication;
    • Reduction in 24 hour ABPM using mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Radboud University Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Acronym: PAGODE

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2016
First posted
Nov 19, 2012
Registry last updated
Apr 6, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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