Fecal and salivary electrolytes in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism.
Year: 1971
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Fecal and salivary sodium and potassium concentrations were measured in 22 hypertensive patients with hypokalemia who were undergoing investigation for primary aldosteronism due to an adrenocortical adenoma (Conn's syndrome). Of eight patients with a high aldosterone secretion rate, five had clearly low fecal Na/K ratios, (including all four patients with Conn's syndrome), in three the ratios were equivocal. Of 14 patients with hypertension and a normal aldosterone secretion rate, none had a sufficiently low fecal Na/K ratio strongly to suggest hyperaldosteronism, although two were borderline. Salivary electrolyte concentrations were not as consistent an indicator of mineralocorticoid hormone excess. Estimation of fecal sodium and potassium concentrations may be useful in the diagnosis of mineralocorticoid hormone excess and in assessing the results of therapy.
Source: PubMed
Authors: D R Wilson, J C Laidlaw, J L Ruse
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1679072000