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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Agoraphobia | Case Report

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

Authors: Reoto Kijima, Hirofumi Tesen, Ryohei Igata, Naomichi Okamoto, Reiji Yoshimura

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2023

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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.
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Metadata
Title
Agoraphobia and panic attacks complicated by primary aldosteronism improved by treatment with eplerenone: a case report
Authors
Reoto Kijima
Hirofumi Tesen
Ryohei Igata
Naomichi Okamoto
Reiji Yoshimura
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05275-w

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