Prolonged Hypokalemia and Delayed Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism: Clinical Course and Risk Factors
Authors' conclusion
Despite manifestation of hypokalemia, many patients with PA fail to be promptly screened. Greater emphasis in HT guidelines, and efforts to improve awareness of PA among primary care physicians, are urgently needed.
Study context
- Population
- All primary aldosteronism (PA) patients with hypokalemia diagnosed between 2001 and 2022
- Participants
- 240 patients
- Exposure
- Delayed vs early diagnosis of PA in patients with hypokalemia
- Delayed diagnosisn = 122
- Nondelayedn = 118reference
- Outcome
- Delayed diagnosis: duration of hypokalemia >1 year from first occurrence to first evaluation by a PA specialist
Methodological detailsmultivariable analysis
- Multivariable analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Delayed diagnosis
Patients with delayed diagnosis
122
51%
Duration of prolonged hypokalemia in delayed diagnosis, median (range)
4.5 years
2.4–7.5 years
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Underwent AVS · lower proportion with delayed diagnosis
P < 0.05
Underwent surgery
Characteristics of delayed vs nondelayed
- Delayed diagnosis: older, longer duration of hypertension (HT), higher pill burden, lower renal function, more prevalent CVD
Factors associated with delayed diagnosis (multivariable)
- Older age, hyperlipidemia, and less severe hypokalemia (serum potassium >3.0 mmol/L)
Original publication
Prolonged Hypokalemia and Delayed Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism: Clinical Course and Risk Factors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 22 December 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →