Acromegaly: clinical features at diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology

Background:

• Acromegaly is a rare disorder caused by pituitary adenomas secreting excess growth hormone (GH).
• GH hypersecretion leads to elevated insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), causing multisystem disease, comorbidities, and increased mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical features of acromegaly at the time of diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• This review synthesizes information on the clinical presentation of acromegaly.

Main Results:

• Acromegaly typically presents in adults aged 40-50, with diagnosis often delayed by 5-10 years.
• Key features include coarsened facial features, enlarged extremities, and potential gigantism in younger individuals.
• Patients may also exhibit rheumatologic, cardiovascular, respiratory, neoplastic, neurological, and metabolic comorbidities.

Conclusions:

• Acromegaly diagnosis is frequently delayed due to its insidious onset and slow progression.
• Clinical presentation often relates to systemic comorbidities or local tumor effects rather than patient-reported changes.
• Early recognition of acromegaly's diverse manifestations is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.