Horm Metab Res 2018; 50(08): 620-626
DOI: 10.1055/a-0628-6847
Endocrine Care
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Psychological Symptoms and Well-Being After Treatment for Primary Aldosteronism

Marieke S. Velema
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
Jannie M. Terlouw
2   Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
,
Aline H. de Nooijer
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
Marjan D. Nijkamp
2   Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
,
Nele Jacobs
2   Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
3   Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
,
Jaap Deinum
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 24 April 2018

accepted 26 April 2018

Publication Date:
12 June 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an increasingly identified cause of secondary hypertension. PA can be caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma or by bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, generally treated by adrenalectomy or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, respectively. Recent studies suggest that PA is associated with more psychological symptoms and lower levels of well-being. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between subtype of PA and psychological symptoms and well-being after specific treatment. We analyzed the outcomes of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form and the Symptom Checklist in 160 patients (mean age 57 years; 74.3% males) with PA, comparing the scores for psychological symptoms and well-being between both subtypes of PA. Additionally, we performed subgroup analyses based on gender, age, time since initiation of treatment, and co-morbidity. Moreover, we compared the results with published norm scores. Mean follow-up after adrenalectomy or start of medication was four years and two months. Depressive symptoms, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive thoughts and well-being did not differ between subtypes of PA. Subgroup analysis did not reveal any differences, except for women with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia who scored higher on the anxiety subscale than women after adrenalectomy. Compared to the general population, patients with treated PA reported more psychological symptoms. In contrast, well-being did not differ significantly from norm scores. Subtype and treatment of PA were no important determinants of psychological symptoms and well-being on the long-term. We suggest that physicians should be alert for psychological symptoms, as these were more frequently present in patients with PA.

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