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Acromegaly historical perspective

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Acromegaly was first described by DR. Johannes Wier in 1567. Dr. Verga reported a case of acromegaly in 1864 that was a case of a patient with a disproportionate big face. Through 1877 to 1900s, many physicians reported cases of acromegaly. In 1970, Dr. Besser used bromocriptine in the treatment of acromegaly and it showed a remarkable improvement in the patients condition. In 1988, FDA approved octreotide as a treatment to acromegaly.

Historical Perspective

Historical Perspective

Discovery

  • In 1567, Dr. Β Johannes Wier was the first to describe a case of a giant female patient. Dr. Wier described the course of acromegaly in this patient in his article. He mentioned that she was of normal stature then she began to increase in height and size at age of fourteen. However, she had a normal good life. Dr. Wier was also the first who described link between the acromegaly and amenorrhea in this patient.[1]
  • In 1772, Dr. Nicolas Saucerotte reported a case which has a clinical presentation linked with acromegaly.[2]
  • In 1864, Dr. Andrea Verga reported a case of acromegaly. Dr. Verga reported a patient with disproportional big face.
  • In 1877, Dr. Brigidi was the first who described pituitary adenoma. Dr. Brigidi reported a case of an actor who presented with chronic bone deformities. Dr. Bridgi then linked between the pituitary adenoma and the acromegaly.
  • In 1884, Dr. Fritsche and Theodor Klebs also reported a case of acromegaly with pituitary adenoma.
  • In 1886, Dr. Pierre Marie was the first who developed the name of acromegaly for the disease. Dr. Marie reported a patient presenting with hypertrophied extremities and he linked between this presentation and acromegaly.

Landmark Events in the Development of Treatment Strategies

References

References

  1. ↑ de Herder WW (2016). “The History of Acromegaly”. Neuroendocrinology. 103 (1): 7–17. doi:10.1159/000371808. PMIDΒ 25572320.
  2. ↑ Pearce JM (2006). “Nicolas Saucerotte: Acromegaly before Pierre Marie”. J Hist Neurosci. 15 (3): 269–75. doi:10.1080/09647040500471764. PMIDΒ 16887764.
  3. ↑ Besser GM, Wass JA, Thorner MO (1978). “Acromegaly–results of long term treatment with bromocriptine”. Acta Endocrinol Suppl (Copenh). 216: 187–98. PMIDΒ 347861.
  4. ↑ Brazeau P, Vale W, Burgus R, Ling N, Butcher M, Rivier J; et al. (1973). “Hypothalamic polypeptide that inhibits the secretion of immunoreactive pituitary growth hormone”. Science. 179 (4068): 77–9. PMIDΒ 4682131.
  5. ↑ Vale W, Rivier J, Ling N, Brown M (1978). “Biologic and immunologic activities and applications of somatostatin analogs”. Metabolism. 27 (9 Suppl 1): 1391–401. PMIDΒ 210361.
  6. ↑ Bauer W, Briner U, Doepfner W, Haller R, Huguenin R, Marbach P; et al. (1982). “SMS 201-995: a very potent and selective octapeptide analogue of somatostatin with prolonged action”. Life Sci. 31 (11): 1133–40. PMIDΒ 6128648.
  7. ↑ Kopchick JJ, Okada S (2001). “Growth hormone receptor antagonists: discovery and potential uses”. Growth Horm IGF Res. 11 Suppl A: S103–9. PMIDΒ 11527080.
  8. ↑ Trainer PJ, Drake WM, Katznelson L, Freda PU, Herman-Bonert V, van der Lely AJ; et al. (2000). “Treatment of acromegaly with the growth hormone-receptor antagonist pegvisomant”. N Engl J Med. 342 (16): 1171–7. doi:10.1056/NEJM200004203421604. PMIDΒ 10770982.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]