Precise urinary aldosterone threshold for diagnosing primary aldosteronism using LC-MS/MS during an oral sodium loading test
Official title: Study on the Diagnostic Cut-off Point of 24-hour Urinary Aldosterone Measured by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry in the Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism in the Oral Sodium Loading Test
Run by Peking Union Medical College Hospital · NCT07635134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether measuring urinary aldosterone with LC-MS/MS during the oral sodium loading test can more accurately diagnose primary aldosteronism.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 800 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Peking Union Medical College Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | August 1, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | June 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07635134 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults 18–70 without hypertension or suspected PA for controls, and adults with suspected PA evaluated in outpatient settings willing to undergo the oral sodium loading test.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with conditions or medications that confound RAAS measurements or who cannot tolerate the oral sodium loading test may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study will establish a new 24-hour urinary aldosterone threshold measured by LC-MS/MS during the oral sodium loading test to diagnose primary aldosteronism. It will combine biochemical results from healthy volunteers and patients suspected of having PA to determine an optimal cut-off. The aim is to improve diagnostic accuracy and enable earlier, more precise treatment of a potentially curable cause of hypertension. Participants will include healthy adults and outpatients with suspected PA, with data collection focusing on urinary aldosterone and related clinical information. The study is conducted at Peking Union Medical College Hospital without a specified intervention beyond the oral sodium loading test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the new threshold could improve accuracy in diagnosing primary aldosteronism and support earlier, targeted treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior approaches using LC-MS/MS for aldosterone measurement have shown improved accuracy over older assays, though this exact diagnostic threshold approach is novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria for the normal control group: Age 18-70 years old, BMI: 18.5-23.9kg/m ²,gender not restricted. blood pressure: 100-120/60-80mmHg. no history of hypertension. No abnormal nodules found in adrenal CT. Previous blood potassium and electrocardiogram were all within normal ranges., No history of liver or kidney dysfunction, malignant tumors, metabolic diseases or cardiovascular diseases, and no medication used. Exclusion criteria: Those with a family history of hypertension or with clinical manifestations of secondary hypertension. Those who have been taking drugs that may affect the RAAS system for a long time (such as contraceptives, steroids, etc.). Those with cardiac dysfunction or severe arrhythmia and unable to tolerate the test. Patients with suspected primary aldosteronism in the outpatient setting. Inclusion criteria: Patients with suspected primary aldosteronism in the outpatient setting. Willing to undergo 4-week spironolactone treatment and cooperate with follow-up. Exclusion criteria: Patients who did not complete the oral sodium loading test. Patients with Cushing's syndrome or other endocrine tumors. Patients allergic to spironolactone or with contraindications for its use (such as severe hyperkalemia, eGFR \< 30).History of liver or kidney dysfunction, coexisting severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, history of malignant tumors, other types of endocrine hypertension (hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome, etc.), renal artery stenosis, hypokalemia caused by other factors (renal tubular acidosis, Bartter syndrome, Gitelman syndrome, etc.), diabetes with HbA1c \> 7.0% or currently using or having used insulin or SGLT2 inhibitor drugs, taking special medications such as glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, oral contraceptives, etc.
Where it's running
-
Peking Union Medical Colledge Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Tong Anli
- Email: tonganli@hotmail.com
- Phone: +8613460884085
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.