Simplification of Oral Sodium Loading Test in the Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism: 2-day Replacing 3-day Method

This is an exploratory and prospective study of 17 healthy controls and 15 patients with primary aldosteronism, in which each participant will receive a high-sodium diet for 3 days to conduct a confirmatory test for primary aldosteronism. The consistency between the 2-day and 3-day oral sodium loading test for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism is compared by measuring the 24-hour urinary aldosterone levels of the participants on the second and third days of the high-sodium diet. The study aims to explore whether the 24-hour urinary aldosterone level on the second day can replace the 24-hour urinary aldosterone level on the third day for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism.

PA patients:

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with hypertension and hypokalemia who have been diagnosed with primary aldosteronism following the latest version international guidelines for primary aldosteronism.
• Age: 20-70 years old, male and female;
• BMI: 18.5-23.9 kg/m2;

Exclusion criteria

• Other causes of endocrine hypertension including pheochromocytoma, Cushing syndrome, etc.
• Renal artery stenosis and low potassium due to other factors, such as renal tubular acidosis, Bartter syndrome, Gitelman syndrome, etc.
• History of hyperthyroidism, hepatic and renal insufficiency, malignant tumors, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and mental diseases,menstrual disorders Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age: 20-70 years old, male and female;
• BMI: 18.5-23.9 kg/m2;
• Blood pressure: 90-120/60-80 mmHg on three consecutive office blood pressure readings;
• Female must have regular menstrual cycle (blood and urine samples should be taken during the non-menstrual period);
• Regular dietary habits;
• No medications taken within the past 1 month.

Exclusion criteria

• History of hypokalemia.
• History of liver and kidney dysfunction, malignant tumors, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and psychiatric disorders, etc.
• Menstrual irregularities and taking contraceptive pills.
• History of hypertension
• Have taken any drugs including anti-inflammatory drugs, potassium diuretics, or special health products in the 4 weeks prior to the examination,