Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Acromegaly is a chronic, debilitating disorder caused by excessive growth hormone (GH) production predominantly due to a benign pituitary adenoma. The overall annual incidence of acromegaly is approximately 3.3 cases/million, with a prevalence of 58–130 cases/million people. Early carbohydrate metabolism disorders (ECMDs) are frequently associated with acromegaly. ECMDs – defined as IFG, IGT or their combination – its prevalence in patients with acromegaly has been shown to vary between 16 and 46%.

Case report: A 47-year old man with a family history of pituitary adenoma (father had a somatotropinoma) was consulted at the Endocrinology Research Centre in October 2015. He complained weight gain, reduction of libido, headaches, joint pain and snore. Physical examination: height 186 cm, weight 113 kg, BMI 32.66 kg/m². Laboratory and clinical investigations: GH (during OGTT) 0’ – 2.08 ng/ml, 30’ – 2.11 ng/ml, 60’ – 2.46 ng/ml, 90’ – 1.84 ng/ml, 120’ – 1.41 ng/ml (<1 ng/ml); IGF-1 – 1199 ng/ml (75–212). Brain MRI: pituitary macroadenoma (2.8×3.0×3.0 cm). So, acromegaly was confirmed. Parallel sequencing was performed with MEN1, CDKN1B, PRKAR1A, GNAS, AIP, SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD genes determination. No significant mutations were found; considering family history of pituitary adenomas genotyping might be informative. Regarding possible metabolic complications, glucose during OGTT was measured; Glu 0’ – 5.8 mmol/l, 120’ – 8.9 mmol/l – IGT was found. Insulin – 40 mIU/l (2.3–26.4 mIU/l); C-peptide – 1.5 ng/ml (1.1–4.4).

Conclusions: Acromegalic patients are at high risk of developing ECMDs and secondary diabetes, so they all should be examined using multidisciplinary approach to prevent severe complications. As pituitary adenomas may be presented as FIPAs – genetic analysis (if there is a suspicion) should be performed.