Familial Mineralocorticoid Induced Hypertension in the Sultanate of Oman

In Oman , many hypertensive patients with a family history of the disease respond to treatment with spirono lactone. a mineralocorticoid receptor (MC-R) blocking agent thus suggesting a high prevalence of mineralocorti coid (MC) induced disease. The aim of this study was to document the prevalence of MC induced disease in patients with a positive family history of hypertension (HTN). Methods: Serum calcium, potassium, creatinine. aldosterone and renin levels were measured understandard conditions in all patients together with an abdominal ultrasound scan and an adrenal computed tomography (CT) scan in four patients. Results: In this small study, we show th at 18 of the 27 patients (66%) had un det ectable (suppressed) renin levels with usua lly normal aldosterone values (14 patients) and respond to treatment with spironoactone. Conclusion: We suggest that MC induced hypertension is likely to be common in the Middle East . In evolutionary terms, this makes se ns e as the ability to conserve salt in hot climates might be expected to confer a definite survival advantage.