[Drug-induced exacerbation of hypoaldosteronism in autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2].

Hypoaldosteronism is a clinical condition resulting from inadequate stimulation of aIdosterone secretion (hyporeninemic hypoaIdosteronism), defects in adrenal synthesis of aldosterone (hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism), or resistance to the peripheral action of this hormone (pseudohypoaldosteronism). The disease is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic hyperkalemia to life-threatening volume depletion, and, if unrecognized and untreated, it increases morbidity and mortality rates. In this paper, we report a case of a woman diagnosed with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2. As a consequence of adrenal cortex destruction, the patient developed subclinical hypoaldosteronism which was effectively treated with small doses of fludrocortisone. Two and fours years later, she required ibuprofen and atenolol treatment and each of these treatments was accompanied by a transient deterioration in mineralocorticoid activity which resolved after drug withdrawal. This case shows for the first time that drugs reducing plasma renin activity may unmask subclinical hypoaldosteronism in subjects with autoimmune polyglandular syndromes, and that they should be avoided in patients with even small disturbances in the hormonal function of the zona glomerulosa.