Researchers reveal scale of prevalence of a condition that can cause type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure (10% of adults have adrenal tumors, women make up 70% of that)

Medical Xpress / University of Birmingham / Annals of Internal Medicine ^ | Jan. 4, 2021 | Alessandro Prete et al

[ConservativeMind]

Research has shown for the first time the scale of the impact of a condition associated with benign tumors that can lead to type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Up to 10 percent of adults have a benign tumor, or lump, known as an 'adrenal incidentaloma' in their adrenals—glands situated on top of the kidneys which produce a variety of hormones. The lumps can be associated with the overproduction of hormones including the stress steroid hormone cortisol, which can lead to type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Previous small studies suggested that one in three adrenal incidentalomas produce excess cortisol, a condition called Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion (MACS).

Their study findings show that MACS is much more prevalent than previously reported: with almost every second patient in the study with an adrenal incidentaloma having MACS. Notably, 70% of patients with MACS were women and most of them were of postmenopausal age (aged over 50). Considering that around two out of three of these patients are women, MACS is potentially a key contributor to women's metabolic health.

Dr. Alessandro Prete said: "Compared to those without MACS, we observed that patients with MACS were more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure and to require three or more tablets to achieve an adequate blood pressure control. When we looked at patients with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, those with MACS were twice more likely to be treated with insulin, indicating that other medications haven't helped managing their blood sugar levels. In conclusion, our study found that MACS is very frequent and is an important risk condition for high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, especially in older women, and the impact of MACS on high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes risk has been underestimated until now."

[ConservativeMind]

There are surgical and other options to address this.

This affects a large number of people and surely makes up a chunk of those with poorly treated high blood pressure.

[ConservativeMind]

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[chrisinoc]

I have this condition and it was discovered by an endocrinologist who I was referred to for another medical condition.

The doctor noticed I was prescribed an extraordinary amount of blood pressure medications. After several blood tests and a rare procedure called femoral artery sampling it was determined both of my adrenal glands had tumors so removing surgically was not possible. But now I am taking another type of medication in reduced amounts and so far it is working without side effects.

[linMcHlp]

bkmk

[Trillian]

I saw this on a mystery diagnosis episode.