How common is hyperaldosteronism?
The prevalence of hyperaldosteronism depends on where and how one looks for it. Some referral centers report a prevalence of hyperaldosteronism related to sleep apnea at about 20%, similar to the original estimate for aldosterone-secreting adenomas proposed by Conn in 1954.
Other population-based studies suggest that such a high prevalence is a result of a lack of specificity of the aldosterone-renin ratio that is often used to screen for the condition. In a consecutive series from the Mayo Clinic, about 10% of community-dwelling hypertensives had an “abnormal” ratio, but no tumors suggestive of adrenal adenomas were detected by computed tomography (CT) scanning.
Small (often bilateral) tumors are occasionally seen in patients with bilateral hyperplasia but not with OSA.
