Primary Aldosteronism as a Risk Factor for Vertebral Fracture

Context Some observational studies have revealed an association between excessive aldosterone levels and reduced bone mineral density (BMD). However, whether patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) are at higher risk of fracture than healthy individuals remains unclear. Objective This study aimed to clarify whether PA represents a risk factor for vertebral fracture (VF). Design and Patients We enrolled 56 patients with PA and 56 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Serum and urinary biological parameters, BMD, and presence of VFs were evaluated in both groups. We compared parameters between PA and control participants and performed multiple logistic regression analyses after adjustments for variables. Results Patients with PA showed higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and triglycerides, higher urinary calcium-to-creatinine ratio, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than controls (P < 0.05, each). Prevalence of VFs was significantly higher in patients with PA (44.6%) than in controls (23.2%, P < 0.05). Patients with PA showed severe fracture more frequently than controls. Multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index identified PA as being associated with the presence of VFs (odds ratio, 3.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.30 to 7.51; P < 0.05). This association remained statistically significant after further adjustment for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol but not after adjustment for calcium-to-creatinine ratio and BMD. Conclusions We identified PA as a risk factor for VF, independent of blood pressure, HbA1c, and lipid profile. Fracture severity was significantly higher in patients with PA than in age- and sex-matched controls.