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

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. © 2014 Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE).