SKIN THICKNESS IN PATIENTS WITH ACROMEGALY AND CUSHING'S SYNDROME AND RESPONSE TO TREATMENT

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Abstract
Radiological assessment of skin thickness (ST) was assessed in 22 patients with acromegaly and 17 patients with Cushing''s syndrome. The age ranges of the patients studied and the 55 individuals in the control group were comparable. The skin thickness in males was significantly greater than in females (P < 0.01). Mean skin thickness in patients with acromegaly and Cushing''s syndrome was significantly greater and less respectively than the mean skin thickness of the normal controls (P < 0.02). Following successful treatment of acromegaly (growth hormone < 5 .mu.g/l) there was a significant reduction in skin thickness (P < 0.02 males: P < 0.01 females). The skin thickness declined at .apprx. 0.3 mm/yr for the first 2 yr and more slowly thereafter. A highly significant correlation was observed between the logarithm of the pre and post treatment plasma GH concentrations and ST values. With one exception, all patients with growth hormone (GH) levels > 5 .mu.g/l had ST values above the normal range. At an average of 4.5 yr after successful treatment of Cushing''s syndrome the average increase in ST was 0.23 mm (P < 0.01). The measurement of skin thickness is a useful screening test for both acromegaly and Cushing''s syndrome and provides an objective assessment of the clincial response to treatment.