NCT06941116Recruiting
Steroids-Based Screening for Primary Aldosteronism
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 28 Apr 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
This prospective, single-center observational study aims to evaluate whether a steroid-based screening method can more accurately identify Primary Aldosteronism (PA) in hypertensive patients who remain on their usual antihypertensive medications, compared with the conventional aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR). PA is a common, potentially curable subtype of secondary hypertension that carries increased cardiovascular risk when undiagnosed or untreated. However, current screening protocols recommend "medication washout" or switching to minimally interfering drugs, which may pose safety concerns and add complexity. In this study, approximately 406 participants (ages 18-75) with diagnosed hypertension and on at least one interfering antihypertensive drug (such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, diuretics, or calcium channel blockers) will be enrolled at the Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Each participant will undergo two rounds of blood sampling-first while continuing their usual antihypertensive regimen (the "on-medication" state) and second following a standardized washout/switch period (the "standard state"), if medically feasible. At both stages, levels of plasma aldosterone, renin, and a broad panel of adrenal steroid hormones will be measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. By comparing diagnostic performance (e.g., sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) of the steroid-based screening versus the ARR, the study seeks to determine whether steroid profiling improves accuracy under real-world treatment conditions. Findings may help refine PA screening strategies, reduce the need for extensive medication adjustments, and contribute to better clinical management of hypertension.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrollment
- 406 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 16 Apr 2025
- Start date
- 15 Apr 2025
- Primary completion date
- 30 Dec 2026
- Lead sponsor
- Qifu Li
- Diseases
- High blood pressure
- NCT number
- NCT06941116
What you commit to
- Study type: Observational
- Planned participants: 406
- From 15 Apr 2025 to the primary completion date, 30 Dec 2026
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Currently using medications (other than the listed antihypertensives) that may affect aldosterone or renin secretion, including but not limited to sex hormones (e.g., oral contraceptives, estrogen replacement therapy), glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen), or antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, olanzapine).
Other illness
- Confirmed secondary hypertension of other etiologies (e.g., renovascular hypertension, renal artery stenosis, reninoma, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome, Liddle syndrome), excluding obstructive sleep apnea.
- History of major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events within the past 3 months.
- History of psychiatric disorders.
Lab values
- Severe cardiac, hepatic, or renal impairment or serious infections, including but not limited to New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III-IV heart failure, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels exceeding 2.5 times the upper limit of normal, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \<30 mL/min/1.73 m², or severe infections (e.g., diabetic foot, sepsis, pneumonia, refractory infections).
Other
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Individuals lacking or having restricted capacity for independent decision-making or action.
- Poor compliance likely to compromise study completion.
Who the study is looking for
- Aged 18-75 years, with no sex restriction.
- Diagnosed with hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg measured on at least two different days.
- Currently receiving at least one antihypertensive medication that interferes with aldosterone or renin (ACEI/ARB, β-blockers, dihydropyridine CCBs, or diuretics including MRA) for ≥4 consecutive weeks.
- Fully informed about the study procedures and risks, and willing to participate by signing a written informed consent form.
Age in the registry: 18 years to 75 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Chongqing | China | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.