Gender difference in QT interval in patients with primary aldosteronism

Abstract

Introduction:

We assessed whether QT interval was still different between male and female patients with primary aldosteronism. We also assessed the gender difference in the relation between serum potassium level and QT interval.

Materials and methods:

The study population consisted of 80 patients with newly diagnosed primary aldosteronism. There were 39 male and 41 female patients.

Results:

There were no significant (ns) differences in serum potassium (3.6±0.7 mEq/l vs 3.8±0.5mEq/l, p=ns) and QTc interval (423±26 msec vs 427±23 msec, p=ns) between male and female patients. In overall patients, serum potassium level was inversely associated with QTc interval significantly (r=−0.36, p<0.01). In male patients, there was still a significant inverse correlation (r=−0.42, p<0.01). However, this correlation was lost in female patients (r=−0.30, p=ns).

Conclusions:

Our data suggested that QTc interval was inversely associated with serum potassium level in male patients, but was not in female patients with primary aldosteronism.