THE ACROMEGALY SYNDROME - RELATION BETWEEN CLINICAL-FEATURES, GROWTH-HORMONE VALUES AND RADIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PITUITARY-TUMORS

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 51  (202) , 189-204
Abstract
One hundred and fifty-five acromegalics, 76 males (mean age 44 .+-. 1.3 yr) and 79 females (45 .+-. 1.4 yr) were studied. The frequency of clinical features were: acral enlargement, 100%; hyperhidrosis, 65%; headache, 55%; paraesthesiae, 49%; cardiac problems, 34%; hypertension, 32%; diabetes mellitus (clinical and chemical), 27%; and visual field defects, 6%. Signs and symptoms, and particularly headache, did not show any relation with the size or shape of pituitary tumors, nor with growth hormone (GH) values, age, sex or weight. Mean of GH values at 60, 90 and 120 min during a GTT averaged 135 mIU/l, range 8-1833. Diabetes mellitus was more frequent and severe in patients with higher GH values, occurring in 32% of patients with mean GH values .gtoreq. 50 mIU/l and only in 16% of the rest (P < 0.05). GH values correlated positively with size of tumors. Forty-nine percent of patients presented with entirely intrasellar tumors, 27% with suprasellar extensions and 23% with partially empty sellae. The mean GH (238 mIU/l) of patients with suprasellar extensions was significantly higher (P < 0.004) than those of the others. Younger acromegalics showed a tendency to larger tumors. Early treatment of acromegaly, particularly in young patients and those presenting with high GH values, is recommended.

This publication has 6 references indexed in Scilit: