Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Acromegaly is a clinical syndrome associated with excess growth hormone. The present study aimed to investigate sarcopenia and frailty, which could affect mortality and morbidity, in patients with acromegaly.

Method: Twenty outpatients diagnosed with acromegaly were included in the study. The hand muscle strength of the patients was measured by electronic hand dynamometer (Model EH101, Zhongshan Camry Electronic Co. Ltd. China). Computed tomography, imaging at the L3 level was used to measure the abdominal muscle mass area (cm2). Measurements for the skeletal muscle mass index abdominal muscle mass area were expressed in (cm2)/height (m2). Normal values for men and women were considered >52.4 cm2/m2 and >38.5 cm2/m2, respectively. The Tilburg Frailty Indicator was used to determine the frailty of the patients. The Social Sciences Version 26.0 software was used to perform analyses in line with appropriate statistical methods.

Results: Thirteen patients were female and 7 were male. The mean age and time of diagnosis were 45.65±9.7, 10.4±6.4 years respectively. Sixteen patients received medical treatment, while 4 did not. Eighteen patients underwent surgical treatment. While 17 patients were in remission 3 patients had active disease under treatment. The mean body mass index of the patients was 29.95±5.1 kg/m². The mean hand muscle strength of the patients was 37.36±13.8 kg. 14 of all patients had frailty. Hand muscle strength in patients with and without frailty was 37.2±14.6 kg and 37.6±13 kg, respectively (P=0.953). Furthermore, there was no statistical difference in frailty between the patients by the remission status (P=0.891). Mean cross-sectional skeletal muscle area was 145.8±33.7 cm². The mean skeletal muscle index (SMI) was 53.1±9.7 cm²/m². While sarcopenia was detected in 1 female patient, there was no difference in SMI levels between the groups in terms of SMI by the remission status (P=0.794).

Conclusion: The risks associated with sarcopenia and frailty increase as a result of increased intra-muscle fat storage due to increased insulin resistance, extended duration of the disease, accompanying hormonal changes, and decreased mobility due to joint pain. In the present study, patients with acromegaly had higher levels of frailty. In conclusion, it is important to carry out routine assessments for frailty and sarcopenia, which are associated with multifactorial causes, and to take timely measures based on a multidisciplinary approach in order to improve the quality of life and prevent the comorbidities of the aging population with acromegaly, which may induce high mortality and morbidity.