Glucose and Lipid Abnormalities in Newly Diagnosed Acromegalic Patients

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims. Acromegaly is frequently associated with abnormalities of glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of our study was to analyze the prevalence of glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities in newly diagnosed acromegaly patients. Material and Methods. This retrospective study included 14 patients (F/M=10/4), mean age 49.5 ± 10.6 years, registered with acromegaly between January and December 2013. In all the cases the values of blood glucose (fasting and during the oral glucose tolerance test), total cholesterol and triglycerides were analyzed. The glucose disorders were classified according to the current criteria of the American Diabetes Association. Regarding the lipid metabolism, the cases were classified as having normal cholesterol, normal triglycerides, high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Results. A number of 7 patients (50%) presented abnormalities of glucose metabolism. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (14.3%) was lower compared to that reported by other studies (15.5%- 56%). Abnormalities of lipid metabolism were present in 8 patients (57.2%): high cholesterol was detected in 2 cases and 6 cases presented increased values for both cholesterol and triglycerides. Only 4/14 cases (28.6%) presented normal values for all glucose and lipid metabolisms parameters. Conclusions. Abnormalities of glucose and lipid metabolisms are very common in acromegalic patients.