NCT06941116 Steroids-Based Screening for Primary Aldosteronism
| NCT ID | NCT06941116 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Qifu Li |
| Condition | Primary Aldosteronism |
| Study Type | OBSERVATIONAL |
| Enrollment | 406 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-04-15 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-12-30 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
This is an observational study. You will not receive an experimental treatment; researchers will collect data based on your existing condition or standard treatment.
This trial targets 406 participants in total. It began in 2025-04-15 with a primary completion date of 2026-12-30.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Aged 18-75 years, with no sex restriction. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. Fully informed about the study procedures and risks, and willing to participate by signing a written informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Confirmed secondary hypertension of other etiologies (e.g., renovascular hypertension, renal artery stenosis, reninoma, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's syndrome, Liddle syndrome), excluding obstructive sleep apnea. 2. 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). 3. History of major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events within the past 3 months. 4. Pregnant or breastfeeding women. 5. 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). 6. Individuals lacking or having restricted capacity for independent decision-making or action. 7. History of psychiatric disorders. 8. Poor compliance likely to compromise study completion.
Contact & Investigator
Qifu Li, MD, PhD, Chief Physician
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06941116 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 75 Years, studying Primary Aldosteronism. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06941116 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06941116 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at liqifu@yeah.net for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06941116 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Chongqing, China.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06941116 clinical trial?
NCT06941116 is sponsored by Qifu Li. The principal investigator is Qifu Li, MD, PhD, Chief Physician at First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. The trial plans to enroll 406 participants.