The dyslipemic syndrome in acromegaly

The clinico-hormonal course of acromegaly and the presence of the hyperlipemic syndrome were studied in relation to age, sex, associated hypothyroidism, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular and atherosclerotic complications in 43 acromegalic patients (18 males and 25 females) of which 6 had received no treatment and 37 had been submitted 2 - 13 years to conventional roentgentherapy (31 cases), 90Y (5 cases) and hypophysectomy (1 case). Hyperlipemia (HLP), present in 24 acromegalic patients (55.8% of the cases) unrelated to age, was more frequent in women (64% as against 44% in males) and correlated with the clinico-hormonal evolution (GH greater than 20 mg) (60% of the cases), and associated hypothyroidism (79%), obesity (42%) and diabetes (25%). Of the hyperlipemic acromegalic patients, 62% had cardiovascular and atherosclerotic complications. The results of the study point to the need for a hypoglucidic, hypolipidic and associated treatment for hypothyroidism, diabetes and obesity in the prophylaxis of acromegalic atherosclerosis.