The Relationship between the Burden of Acromegaly, Associated Comorbidities, Complications and Disease Status

Abstract

Uncontrolled acromegaly causes increased morbidity and mortality. The analysis of acromegaly comorbidities and complications is important when establishing a standard of care for the entire population of acromegaly patients. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of comorbidities and complications of acromegaly and their dependence on the activity of the disease. A retrospective analysis of medical records from 124 patients with acromegaly was carried out, including 39 who were cured, 73 treated with somatostatin analogs and 12 newly diagnosed patients. The incidence of comorbidities and complications was very high, and those most frequently observed were arterial hypertension, multinodular goiter, lipid disorders, hypopituitarism and degenerative changes. At least one complication of acromegaly was observed in 92% of patients undergoing successful neurosurgery and in all pharmacologically treated patients. By contrast, two or more complications were observed in 77% of cured patients and in pharmacologically controlled and uncontrolled patients, 82% and 91%, respectively. Conclusions: Acromegaly is associated with a high prevalence of complications. Active acromegaly is associated with a higher incidence of complications than in treated groups. Untreated patients have more complications than treated patients. Successfully cured patients have significantly fewer complications than pharmacologically controlled patients and patients with active acromegaly.