Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Evaluation of screening practices for primary hyperaldosteronism by specialists and general practitioners: an
Giselle Fernandes Taboada1,2, Aline Barbosa Moraes3, Leonardo Vieira Neto4
1Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Niterói, RJ, Brasil, giselletaboada@id.uff.br.
Objective:
Despite its recognized importance, primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) remains an underdiagnosed condition in clinical practice. The objective of the present study was to evaluate PHA screening practices by general practitioners and specialists in endocrinology and cardiology.
Subjects And Methods:
This cross-sectional, observational study invited physicians to respond voluntarily to an online survey. The survey collected the respondents' sociodemographic data and answers to five hypothetical clinical cases meeting Endocrine Society criteria for PHA screening.
Results:
In all, 126 physicians responded to the online survey. Endocrinologists were the specialists who most often chose PHA screening, although the screening rates were overall low, ranging from 36.5% to 92.9%, depending on the case and the respondents' specialty. The survey also assessed the reasons for not choosing PHA screening, which included limited availability of tests within the public health services, interference of antihypertensive medications on hormone levels, and failure to identify the screening indication. Being an endocrinologist was an independent predictor for choosing PHA screening for the patients in Cases #1 and #5 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively).
Conclusion:
Endocrinologists were the specialists who most often chose PHA screening, although the screening rates were overall low among all specialists. These findings highlight a need for continuing medical education programs addressing PHA screening and making the diagnosis of PHA more present in the daily clinical practice of physicians treating patients with hypertension.
Related Concept Videos
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Adrenal Gland Disorders
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care

