Screening for endocrine hypertension in China: protocol for a multicentre prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION

Secondary hypertension accounts for 5%-10% of all hypertensive patients. Among these conditions, endocrine hypertension, such as primary aldosteronism (PA), Cushing's syndrome (CS) and pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL), is a common and significantly harmful cause. With advancements in diagnostic techniques, the prevalence of endocrine hypertension is much higher than previously reported, but large-scale epidemiological survey data in this field are still lacking in China.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre prospective cohort study to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of endocrine hypertension, such as PA, PPGL and CS, in the Chinese hypertensive population. Standardised clinical assessments, biochemical tests and mass spectrometry-based screening will be performed to identify endocrine hypertension caused by PA, PPGL and CS. The primary outcome is the prevalence and characteristics of endocrine hypertension. Secondary outcomes include establishing standardised detection methods. Participants will be followed for at least 1 year.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Beijing Children's Hospital ((2023)-E-028-Y), the coordinating site and all participating centres. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific meetings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2300075747.

PROTOCOL VERSION: Version 7 (23 June 2022).