Diabetes in Patients With Acromegaly
A M Hannon1, C J Thompson1, M Sherlock2
1Department of Endocrinology, Beaumont Hospital and RCSI Medical School, Beaumont, Dublin 9, Ireland.
Current Diabetes Reports
|February 3, 2017
Summary
Acromegaly, caused by excess growth hormone, frequently leads to diabetes mellitus. Effective acromegaly treatment can improve glucose metabolism, but therapy choices must consider impacts on diabetes management.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Acromegaly, a syndrome of excess growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), is linked to significant cardiovascular mortality.
- Diabetes mellitus is a common complication, affecting 12-37% of patients with acromegaly.
- GH and IGF-1 exert complex effects on glucose metabolism, contributing to insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of glucose metabolism abnormalities in acromegaly.
- To examine the impact of acromegaly management on glucose homeostasis.
- To discuss management strategies for diabetes mellitus in acromegaly patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on acromegaly and glucose metabolism.
- Analysis of recent findings on GH/IGF-1 effects on glucose homeostasis.
- Evaluation of treatment impacts on diabetes in acromegaly.
Main Results:
- Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and increased gluconeogenesis characterize the metabolic environment in acromegaly.
- Treatment of acromegaly can improve insulin resistance and reduce gluconeogenesis, ameliorating glucose metabolism abnormalities.
- New medical therapies for acromegaly have varied effects on glucose homeostasis, influencing treatment decisions.
Conclusions:
- The mechanisms underlying glucose metabolism disorders in acromegaly are complex.
- Normalizing GH/IGF-1 levels is key to reducing comorbidities in acromegaly.
- Acromegaly treatment selection must carefully consider effects on glucose metabolism and existing diabetes.
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