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BackgroundPrimary aldosteronism (PA) is characterized by several metabolic changes such as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and adipose tissue (AT) inflammation. Mi(cro)RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding small RNA molecules known to be critical regulators in several cellular processes associated with AT dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of some miRNAs in visceral and subcutaneous AT in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for aldosterone-secreting adrenal adenoma (APA) compared to the samples of AT obtained in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for non-functioning adrenal mass (NFA).MethodsThe quantitative expression of selected miRNA using real-time PCR was analyzed in surrounding adrenal neoplasia, peri-renal, and subcutaneous AT samples of 16 patients with adrenalectomy (11 patients with APA and 5 patients with NFA).ResultsReal-time PCR cycles for miRNA-132, miRNA-143, and miRNA-221 in fat surrounding adrenal neoplasia and in peri-adrenal AT were significantly higher in APA than in patients with NFA. Unlike patients with NFA, miRNA-132, miRNA-143, miRNA-221, and miRNA-26b were less expressed in surrounding adrenal neoplasia AT compared to subcutaneous AT in patients with APA.ConclusionThis study, conducted on tissue expression of miRNAs, highlights the possible pathophysiological role of some miRNAs in determining the metabolic alterations in patients with PA.

Background: Arterial hypertension is associated with obstructive sleep apnoea, poor quality and duration of sleep, which might contribute to hypertension-mediated organ damage. Methods: We investigated the presence of insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnoea using validated questionnaires (Insomnia Severity Index, Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale, and STOP-Bang), and their relationship with hypertension-mediated organ damage, in hypertensive patients. Results: In 159 consecutive consenting hypertensive patients [age 47(11) years, median and (interquartile range), body mass index 25.5(5.9) kg/m2, office systolic and diastolic blood pressure 144(23)/92(12) mmHg], the STOP-Bang, but not the other scores, predicted cardiac remodelling: compared to patients with a STOP-Bang score < 3, those at high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea showed higher left ventricular mass index [49.8(11.9) vs. 43.3(11.9) g/m2.7, p

BackgroundCushing syndrome (CS) has been described as a killing disease due its cardiovascular complications. In fact, chronic cortisol excess leads to a constellation of complications, including hypertension, hyperglycemia, adiposity, and thromboembolism. The main vascular alteration associated with CS is atherosclerosis.MethodsAim of this study was to analyze carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and ankle-brachial index (ABI), two surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in a consecutive series of CS patients, compared to patients with essential hypertension (EH) and health subjects (HS).ResultsPatients with CS showed a significant increase (P

Introduction. Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a clinical condition characterized by excessive cortisol production, associated with metabolic complications, such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Nowadays, the occurrence of autoimmune diseases in CS have not been completely evaluated in the previous studies. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of autoimmune diseases in CS patients after successfully treated. Materials and Methods. From January 2001 to December 2017, in our Secondary Hypertension Unit, we evaluated 147 CS patients (91 with ACTH-independent disease, 54 with ACTH-dependent disease, and 2 patients with ectopic ACTH production. Results. 109 CS patients (74.1%) were surgically treated (67 ACTH-independent CS patients (61.5%) undergone adrenalectomy and 42 ACTH-dependent CS (38.5%) undergone transsphenoidal surgery) and evaluated after 6, 12, and 24 months after clinical and biochemical remission of disease. In 9 (8.3%) of overall treated CS patients (8.3%), during follow-up, we observed the onset of some manifestations of autoimmune diseases. In particular, one patient had a systemic lupus erythematosus, one patient had rheumatoid arthritis, 4 patients reported autoimmune thyroiditis (Basedow-Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), one patient had clinical features of psoriasis, one patient showed myasthenia gravis, and one patient had giant cell arteritis. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that patients successfully treated for CS could develop autoimmune diseases. Therefore, after treatment, CS patients need to be strictly monitored in order to evaluate the possible onset of autoimmune diseases.

Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) for primary and secondary adrenal disease, in reducing the length of primary hospital stay and return to daily activities. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 61 patients who underwent LA. A total of 32 patients formed the ERAS group. A total of 29 patients received conventional perioperative care and were assigned as the control group. Groups were compared in terms of patient's characteristics (sex, age, pre-operative diagnosis, side of tumour, tumour size and co-morbidities), post-operative compliance (anaesthesia time, operative time, post-operative stay, post-operative numeric rating scale (NRS) score, analgesic assumption and days to return to daily activities) and post-operative complications. Results: No significant differences in anaesthesia time (P = 0.4) and operative time (P = 0.6) were reported. NRS score 24 h postoperatively was significantly lower in the ERAS group (P < 0.05). The analgesic assumption in post-operative period in the ERAS group was lower (P < 0.05). ERAS protocol led to a significantly shorter length of post-operative stay (P < 0.05) and to return to daily activities (P < 0.05). No differences in peri-operative complications were reported. Discussion: ERAS protocols seem safe and feasible, potentially improving perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing LA, mainly improving pain control, hospital stay and return to daily activities. Further studies are needed to investigate overall compliance with ERAS protocols and their impact on clinical outcomes.

Background and aim: Considering the amount of novel knowledge generated in the last five years, a team of experienced hypertensionlogists was assembled to furnish updated clinical practice guidelines for the management of primary aldosteronism. Methods: To identify the most relevant studies, the authors utilized a systematic literature review in international databases by applying the PICO strategy, and then they were required to make use of only those meeting predefined quality criteria. For studies of diagnostic tests, only those that fulfilled the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy recommendations were considered. Results: Each section was jointly prepared by at least two co-authors, who provided Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence following the American Heart Association methodology. The guidelines were sponsored by the Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension and underwent two rounds of revision, eventually reexamined by an External Committee. They were presented and thoroughly discussed in two face-to-face meetings with all co-authors and then presented on occasion of the 36th Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension meeting in order to gather further feedbacks by all members. The text amended according to these feedbacks was subjected to a further peer review. Conclusions: After this process, substantial updated information was generated, which could simplify the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism and assist practicing physicians in optimizing treatment and follow-up of patients with one of the most common curable causes of arterial hypertension.

The prevalence of resistant hypertension (RHT) still remains unknown. Aim of the study was to investigate in a large cohort of hypertensive patients the prevalence of RHT, and to identify in these patients the secondary forms of arterial hypertension (SH). We enrolled a series of 3685 consecutive hypertensive patients. All patients underwent complete physical examination, laboratory tests, screening for SH. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was performed to exclude white-coat hypertension. Further, we investigated for any obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). Only 232 (5.8%) hypertensive patients fulfilled criteria for RHT. 91 (39%) had a SH; 56 (61%) hypertensive patients had a primary aldosteronism, 22 (24%) had OSA, 7 (7.7%) had a hypercortisolism, and 5 (5.5%) had a renovascular hypertension (RVH). Only one patient had adrenal pheochromocytoma. An accurate definition and investigation into RHT is needed. We recommend ABPM to all patients at diagnosis. Finally, all patients must be screened for SH, such as adrenal hypertension, OSA and RVH, especially those who are apparently resistant to polypharmacological treatment.

Introduction: Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) is a rare catecholamine-producing tumour arising from chromaffin cells in the sympatho-adrenal system, and can present as asymptomatic adrenal incidentaloma (AI). Patient: We describe the case of a 61-year-old woman with a right adrenal mass incidentally discovered, who was biochemically characterized with subclinical hypercortisolism (SH). The patient was scheduled for adrenalectomy because of increasing seizure of the right adrenal gland with a haemorrhagic and focal pseudocystic appearance macroscopically, incidental histological and immunohistochemical PHEO, and micronodular cortico-adrenal hyperplasia. Discussion: This report describes a rare case of incidental non-functioning PHEO coexisting with corticomedullary hyperplasia and SH.

Primary aldosteronism represents major cause of secondary hypertension, strongly associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Aldosterone excess may influence mineral homeostasis, through higher urinary calcium excretion inducing secondary increase of parathyroid hormone. Recently, in a cohort of PA patients a significant increase of primary hyperparathyroidism was found, suggesting a bidirectional functional link between the adrenal and parathyroid glands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aldosterone excess on mineral metabolism and bone mass density. In 73 PA patients we evaluated anthropometric and biochemical parameters, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, calcium-phosphorus metabolism, and bone mineral density; control groups were 73 essential hypertension (EH) subjects and 40 healthy subjects. Compared to HS and EH, PA subjects had significantly lower serum calcium levels and higher urinary calcium excretion. Moreover, PA patients showed higher plasma PTH, lower serum 25(OH)-vitamin D levels, higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (65% versus 25% and 25%; P