Agoraphobia and panic attacks complicated by primary aldosteronism improved by treatment with eplerenone: a case report.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an adrenal gland disease, that induces increased secretion of the mineralocorticoid, aldosterone, resulting in symptoms such as hypertension. This study reports a patient with agoraphobia and panic attacks, associated with PA. This patient's psychiatric symptoms improved after treatment with eplerenone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist.

CASE PRESENTATION:

The patient was a 40-year-old female with agoraphobia, which refers to the irrational fear of situations that may cause anxiety, and panic attacks characterized by profuse sweating, palpitations, and generalized weakness. She was diagnosed with hypertension from PA. Subsequently, she received treatment with eplerenone, which improved her agoraphobia and panic attacks.

CONCLUSIONS:

There have been no previous reports on PA associated with agoraphobia and panic attacks that improved with pharmacotherapy. Patients with agoraphobia and panic attacks should be evaluated for PA. In patients with PA, pharmacotherapy with eplerenone should be considered.

• Authors: Reoto Kijima, Hirofumi Tesen, Ryohei Igata, Naomichi Okamoto, Reiji Yoshimura
• Journal: BMC psychiatry (BMC Psychiatry) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 787 (10 27 2023) ISSN: 1471-244X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 37891534 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2023. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• Eplerenone

Topics

• Humans
• Female
• Adult
• Panic Disorder (complications, drug therapy)
• Agoraphobia (complications, drug therapy, diagnosis)
• Eplerenone (therapeutic use)
• Hypertension
• Hyperaldosteronism (complications, drug therapy)