
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions โ written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Acromegaly natural history, complications and prognosis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
If left untreated, 30% of patients with acromegaly may progress to develop cardiovascular manifestations, pulmonary dysfunction, and cerebral complications. Common complications of acromegaly include hypertension, arrhythmia, heart failure, sleep apnea, dyspnea, carpal tunnel syndrome and spinal cord compression. Prognosis of acromegaly is generally good with transsphenoidal surgery and the postoperative treatment.
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural History
- If left untreated, 30% of patients with acromegaly may progress to develop cardiovascular manifestations, pulmonary dysfunction, and cerebral complications. These comorbidities will increase the mortality rate.[1]
Complications
- Common complications of acromegaly include:
- Cardivascualr complications:[2]
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hypertension
- Arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Coronary arteriosclerosis
- Respiratory complications:
- Sleep apnea
- Dyspnea and stridor
- Neuromuscular complications:
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Spinal cord compression
- Vision abnormalities
- Abdominal complications:
- Colonic polyps
- Uterine fibroids in females
- Cardivascualr complications:[2]
Prognosis
References
References
- โ Melmed S (2009). “Acromegaly pathogenesis and treatment”. J Clin Invest. 119 (11): 3189โ202. doi:10.1172/JCI39375. PMCย 2769196. PMIDย 19884662.
- โ Berg C, Petersenn S, Lahner H, Herrmann BL, Buchfelder M, Droste M; et al. (2010). “Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with uncontrolled and long-term acromegaly: comparison with matched data from the general population and the effect of disease control”. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 95 (8): 3648โ56. doi:10.1210/jc.2009-2570. PMIDย 20463098.
- โ Krลกek M (2015). “[Acromegaly: current view]”. Vnitr Lek. 61 (10): 900โ4. PMIDย 26486485.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]
