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Impaired quality of life of patients with acromegaly: control of GH/IGF-I excess improves psychological subscale appearance

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, CHU Larrey, 31059 Toulouse, France and ¹ Department of Diabetes and Metabolism, CHU Rangueil, 31059 Toulouse, France

(Correspondence should be addressed to P Caron who is now at Department of Endocrinology, CHU Larrey, 24 Chemin de Pourvouville, TSA 30030, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France; Email: caron.p{at}chu-toulouse.fr)

Introduction: Acromegaly, a chronic disease caused by GH/IGF-I excess, has a major impact on quality of life (QoL).

Objective: To evaluate QoL of acromegalic patients in relation to control status of the disease.

Design and methods: Single center observational study including 93 patients with acromegaly recruited to complete QoL questionnaire (AcroQol). QoL was evaluated at least 3 months after surgery and/or medical treatment. Patients were divided into two groups: controlled (I) and uncontrolled (II) according to the latest consensus acromegaly ‘control’ criteria and further subdivided into four subgroups according to the previous pituitary adenoma surgery (Ib and IIb) or without surgery (Ia and IIa).

Results: Mean GH (0.81±0.47 ng/ml) and IGF-I (195±71 ng/ml) values in group I were significantly lower than in group II (GH, 7.01±12.05 ng/ml and IGF-I, 513±316 ng/ml; P<0.001). There was no difference in total AcroQol score, physical, or psychological scales between groups I and II. However, when adjusted to age and disease duration since diagnosis, patients of group I (63±20%) showed an improved psychological subscale appearance than those of group II (58±17%; P=0.035). In group II, IGF-I level was lower after surgery (IIa=588±353, IIb=410±225 ng/ml; P<0.038), and psychological subscale appearance was significantly better in subgroup IIb (64.9±18.1%) than in subgroup IIa who had medical treatment (53.9±14.3%; P=0.009).

Conclusion: QoL is severely impaired in acromegalic patients. Control of GH/IGF-I excess by surgery or medical treatment seems to have a positive impact on psychological subscale appearance.