Objective: To search for primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) among previously known hypertensive patients in primary care, using the aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR), and to evaluate clinical and biochemical characteristics in patients with high or normal ratio.
Design: Patient survey study.
Setting and subjects: The study population was recruited by written invitation among hypertensive patients in two primary care areas in Sweden. A total of 200 patients met the criteria and were included in the study.
Main outcome measures: The ARR was calculated from serum aldosterone and plasma renin concentrations. The cut-off level for ARR was set to 100, as confirmed in 28 healthy subjects. Patients with increased ARR were considered for a confirmatory test, using the fludrocortisone suppression test.
Results: Of 200 patients, 50 patients had ARR > 100; 26 patients were further evaluated by fludrocortisone suppression test. Seventeen of these patients had an incomplete aldosterone inhibition.
Conclusion: In total 17 of 200 evaluated patients (8.5%) had an incomplete suppression with fludrocortisone. This confirms previous reports on a high frequency of PHA. No significant biochemical or clinical differences were found among hypertensive patients with PHA compared with the whole sample.