Biochemical Tests for Pheochromocytoma: Strategies in Hypertensive Patients.

Publication/Presentation Date

7-1-1989

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal clinical strategy utilizing either 1) serum catecholamines, 2) urinary metanephrines, or 3) urinary vanillylmandelic acid measurements in the evaluation of hypertensive patients with suspected pheochromocytoma.

DESIGN: Prospective clinical determination of test-operating characteristics.

SETTING: Tertiary care university medical center.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: 415 patients referred for evaluation of suspected pheochromocytoma.

INTERVENTIONS: All subjects had measurements of the three above-mentioned biochemical tests with the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma established by tissue confirmation.

RESULTS: All three biochemical tests were similar in sensitivity (0.70-0.75), specificity (0.90-0.95), and receiver operating characteristics. With an estimated disease prevalence of 5.9% in symptomatic hypertensive patients, the predictive value of any single negative test would be 98% in ruling out disease.

CONCLUSIONS: All three biochemical tests have similar performance characteristics and only a single test need be performed to exclude pheochromocytoma in most symptomatic hypertensive patients in a primary care population.

Volume

4

Issue

4

First Page

273

Last Page

276

ISSN

0884-8734

Disciplines

Medical Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

2668458

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine Faculty

Document Type

Article

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