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Non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas are associated with higher hypertension prevalence and higher risk of atherosclerosis

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Abstract

Introduction

Adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) have been associated with an increased incidence of several cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma adiponectin, leptin, resistin, homocysteine, high sensitive C-reactive protein levels, and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in patients with non-functioning AI (NFAI).

Materials and methods

This study included data from 28 patients with NFAI (Group 1) and 41 controls (Group 2). Of the patients, 50 were female and 19 were male, and the mean age was 46.7 (range 37–65) years.

Results

There were no significant differences between Group 1 and 2 in terms of age, sex, or BMI. Hypertension prevalence was significantly higher in the NFAI group than in the control group (p = 0.01). Both groups had similar lipid, blood glucose, homocysteine, uric acid, high-sensitivity CRP levels. Adiponectin, leptin, and resistin levels were similar in both groups. CIMTs were significantly higher in the NFAI group.

Conclusion

There is increasing evidence that several cardiometabolic risk factors occur with higher prevalence in non-functioning adrenal incidentaloma patients compared to age-matched healthy subjects. In our study, hypertension prevalence and CIMT were higher in the NFAI group. Serum adipokine levels were similar for both groups.

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Abbreviations

AI:

Adrenal incidentaloma

CIMT:

Carotid intima media thickness

CS:

Cushing’s syndrome

DM:

Diabetes mellitus

DST:

Dexamethasone suppression test

FBG:

Fasting blood glucose

HT:

Hypertension

IR:

Insulin resistance

MS:

Metabolic syndrome

NFAI:

Non-functioning adrenal incidentaloma

SCS:

Subclinical Cushing’s syndrome

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Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by Grants from Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, Medical Faculty, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey

    Mazhar Müslüm Tuna

  2. Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Narin Nasıroğlu Imga, Berçem Ayçiçek Doğan & Dilek Berker

  3. Biochemistry Division, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Fatma Meriç Yılmaz & Canan Topçuoğlu

  4. Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, Medical Faculty, Mugla University, Muğla, Turkey

    Gülhan Akbaba

  5. Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, Medical Faculty, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey

    Serdar Güler

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  1. Mazhar Müslüm Tuna
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  2. Narin Nasıroğlu Imga
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Correspondence to Mazhar Müslüm Tuna.

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Tuna, M.M., Imga, N.N., Doğan, B.A. et al. Non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas are associated with higher hypertension prevalence and higher risk of atherosclerosis. J Endocrinol Invest 37, 765–768 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0106-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-014-0106-5

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