Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Acromegaly is associated with increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality. Changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis markers in acromegalic patients have been shown to indicate increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet functions and activity, and increased MPV is an independent risk factor of myocardial infarction and thrombotic events. In this study, we examined the levels of MPV in acromegalic patients before and after treatment compared to a control group.

Methods: A total of 80 patients (24 were diabetic) treated in our clinic with the diagnosis of acromegaly between 2009 and 2014 and 65 (23 were diabetic) age- and gender-matched healthy controls were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data of all subjects and postoperative cure and remission with medical management among acromegalic patients were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative MPV values as well as MPV values observed in patients with controlled disease on medical treatment were compared. In both groups HbA1c levels and their relationship with MPV were also evaluated.

Findings: In this study, 47% of the acromegaly patients and 48% of the control subjects were females. The mean age both groups and the mean HbA1c among diabetics in both groups were similar. MPV values were significantly higher in both the diabetic and non-diabetic acromegaly patients compared with the control subjects. Postoperative MPV values were significantly reduced compared to preoperative values in patients cured with surgery. Patients who achieved control with medical therapy after the failure of surgical intervention demonstrated MPV values similar to those reported in patients cured with surgery. When MPV values at presentation were evaluated in the acromegaly and control groups, it was shown that presence of diabetes mellitus, age and gender had no effect on MPV.

Conclusion: MPV can be considered as a marker for atherothrombotic process and prognosis of acromegalic patients.