Mortality in acromegaly: a 20-year follow-up study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Acromegaly, a condition of excess growth hormone, has uncertain long-term mortality risks.
• Gender-specific differences in acromegaly outcomes require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To dynamically assess long-term mortality and causes of death in a nationwide cohort of acromegaly patients.
• To investigate potential gender-related differences in acromegaly mortality.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide cohort study compared standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and causes of death in 333 acromegaly patients versus 4995 age- and gender-matched controls.
• Follow-up extended up to 33 years, dynamically assessing outcomes.

Main Results:

• Acromegaly patients exhibited increased all-cause mortality (OR 1.6) and SMR (1.9) compared to controls over 20 years.
• Causes of death shifted from predominantly cardiovascular to cancer deaths within the acromegaly cohort over time.
• Increased mortality was observed in women with acromegaly compared to controls, but not in men.

Conclusions:

• Mortality is increased in acromegaly, with a notable rise in cancer-related deaths over time.
• Women with acromegaly face higher mortality risks compared to controls, unlike men.
• Men with acromegaly are diagnosed and die at younger ages than women.