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Generalised peripheral nerve dysfunction in acromegaly: a study by conventional and novel neurophysiological
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|July 1, 1987
Summary
Acromegaly patients often experience peripheral nerve dysfunction, linked to disease activity. This nerve damage occurs independently of other acromegaly-related conditions like carbohydrate intolerance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Acromegaly, a disorder caused by excess human growth hormone (hGH), can lead to various complications.
- Peripheral neuropathy is a recognized but not fully understood complication of acromegaly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of peripheral nerve dysfunction in acromegaly patients.
- To explore the relationship between disease activity and neuropathy severity in acromegaly.
Main Methods:
- Neurophysiological testing was performed on 24 patients with confirmed acromegaly.
- Assessment included evaluation of generalized peripheral nerve function.
- Disease activity was indicated by total exchangeable body sodium levels.
Main Results:
- Two-thirds of acromegaly patients exhibited generalized peripheral nerve dysfunction.
- A significant correlation was observed between total exchangeable body sodium and neuropathy severity.
- Peripheral nerve abnormalities were independent of carbohydrate intolerance, hGH levels, and other endocrine dysfunctions.
Conclusions:
- Generalized peripheral nerve dysfunction is common in acromegaly.
- Disease activity, as measured by body sodium, is a key factor in the severity of neuropathy.
- Neuropathy in acromegaly is a distinct complication not solely explained by other associated metabolic or hormonal disturbances.