16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the prevalence and/or incidence of Conn's syndrome.
Hyperaldosteronism may be primary (uncommon) or secondary. In 70% of patients, hyperaldosteronism results from a benign aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma. In 15% to 30% of patients, the cause is unknown; rarely, the cause is bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia (in children) or carcinoma. Incidence is three times higher in females than in males and is highest between ages 30 and 50.
In primary hyperaldosteronism, chronic aldosterone excess is independent of the renin-angiotensin system and, in fact, suppresses plasma renin activity. This aldosterone excess enhances sodium reabsorption by the kidneys, which leads to mild hypernatremia and, simultaneously, hypokalemia and increased extracellular fluid (ECF) volume. Expansion of intravascular fluid volume also occurs and results in volume-dependent hypertension and increased cardiac output. Excessive ingestion of English black licorice or licorice-like substances can produce a syndrome similar to primary hyperaldosteronism due to the mineralocorticoid action of glycyrrhizic acid.
Secondary hyperaldosteronism results from an extra-adrenal abnormality that stimulates the adrenal gland to increase production of aldosterone. For example, conditions that reduce renal blood flow (renal artery stenosis) and ECF volume or produce a sodium deficit activate the renin-angiotensin system and, subsequently, increase aldosterone secretion. Thus, secondary hyperaldosteronism may result from conditions that induce hypertension through increased renin production (such as Wilms’tumor), ingestion of hormonal contraceptives, and pregnancy.
However, secondary hyperaldosteronism may also result from disorders unrelated to hypertension, which may or may not cause edema. For example, nephrotic syndrome, hepatic cirrhosis with ascites, and heart failure commonly induce edema, whereas Bartter’s syndrome and salt-losing nephritis don’t.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
The term 'prevalence' of Conn's syndrome usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Conn's syndrome at any given time. The term 'incidence' of Conn's syndrome refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Conn's syndrome diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.
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