Prevalence, risk factors and evolution of diabetes mellitus after treatment in primary aldosteronism. Results from the SPAIN-ALDO registry

PurposeTo evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and evolution of diabetes mellitus (DM) after targeted treatment in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA).MethodsA retrospective multicenter study of PA patients in follow-up at 27 Spanish tertiary hospitals (SPAIN-ALDO Register).ResultsOverall, 646 patients with PA were included. At diagnosis, 21.2% (n = 137) had DM and 67% of them had HbA1c levels < 7%. In multivariate analysis, family history of DM (OR 4.00 [1.68-9.53]), the coexistence of dyslipidemia (OR 3.57 [1.51-8.43]) and advanced age (OR 1.04 per year of increase [1.00-1.09]) were identified as independent predictive factors of DM. Diabetic patients were on beta blockers (46.7% (n = 64) vs. 27.5% (n = 140), P < 0.001) and diuretics (51.1% (n = 70) vs. 33.2% (n = 169), p < 0.001) more frequently than non-diabetics. After a median follow-up of 22 months [IQR 7.5-63.0], 6.9% of patients developed DM, with no difference between those undergoing adrenalectomy and those treated medically (HR 1.07 [0.49-2.36], p = 0.866). There was also no significant difference in the evolution of glycemic control between DM patients who underwent surgery and those medically treated (p > 0.05).ConclusionDM affects about one quarter of patients with PA and the risk factors for its development are common to those of the general population. Medical and surgical treatment provides similar benefit in glycemic control in patients with PA and DM.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the prevalence, risk factors, and progression of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) after targeted treatment. The results showed that about one quarter of PA patients had DM, and the risk factors for its development were similar to the general population. Both surgical and medical treatment had similar benefits in glycemic control for PA patients with DM.