Endocrine Abstracts

Sleep apnea syndrome is highly prevalent in acromegaly and only partially reversible after biochemical control of the disease. Consequences of SAS are serious and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

The present study evaluates clinical aspects in acromegalic patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS), diagnosed and followed-up in the Clinic of Endocrinology, Timisoara, in the period 2007–2010. All the cases were confirmed and investigated as present guidelines recommend.

We collected general data, medical history, physical evaluation, sleep questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, polisomnography for apnea-hypopnea index (AHI normal 0–4, mild 5–14, moderate 15–29, severe over 30), oxygen desaturation, co morbidities and measured mean values, standard deviation, 95% confidence interval (CI).

The polysomnographic investigated study group comprised 13 patients with GH secreting pituitary adenomas.

AHI normal 1 of 13, mild 2 of 13, moderate 4 of 13, severe 6 of 13, 10 females, 3 males, age 48±11.6 years (31–62) 95% CI 40.99–55.01, 33.7% smokers, obesity 10 of 13 with BMI 34.4±5.98 kg/m² (25–45) 95% CI 30.77–38, neck circumference 40.46±3.48 cm 95% CI, 38.36–42.56, abdominal circumference 104.23±11.8 cm 95% CI 97.11–111.3. Epworth Sleepiness Scale 8.16±5.35 (2–20), 95% CI 4.92–11.39. Oxygen desaturation 94.308±1.55, 95% CI 93.37–95.24, lowest desaturation 82.69±11.7% (51–96), 95% CI 75.6–89.78.

Hypertension 7 of 13, most in stage 2 and 3, duration 13.6±8.02 years (7–27) 95% CI 3.64–23.55, 5 of 13 with resistant hypertension.

OSAS is frequent in acromegaly. Most patients are obese female with few symptoms and less somnolence, decreased oxygen desaturation, high prevalence of systemic hypertension, mostly resistant.