Abstract

Abstract Objective Arthropathy is common in acromegaly (ACRO) and profoundly impacts patients’ quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare joint pain score, usage of pain relief therapy and history of joint surgery between patients with history of ACRO and patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFA) who had previously undergone surgery. Methods Sex- and age-matched participants (n=34 for both groups) were recruited from the Halifax Neuropituitary Program to complete an online survey. All ACRO patients were in remission with or without medical therapy. An anchored visual analog scale (0-100 mm) was employed to assess joint pain, and additional questions assessed usage of pain relief therapy and history of joint surgeries. Demographic and joint pain data were compared using paired t-tests, whereas usage of pain relief therapy and history of joint surgeries were compared using exact McNemar's tests. Results Height and weight were not significantly different between the ACRO and NFA groups; (height: 171.2±11.3 cm vs. 171.9±9.6 cm, p=0.796; weight: 88.9±20.6 kg vs. 94.2±27.8 kg, p=0.350), respectively. At the time of original presentation, ACRO patients were significantly younger than NFA patients (44.4±13. 0 yrs vs55.9±10.5 yrs, p <0. 001). Joint pain scores were significantly higher for ACRO than for NFA for shoulder (23.6±30.1 mm vs. 8.3±17.2 mm, p=0. 013), back (38.5±34.5 mm vs. 20. 0±25.9 mm, p=0. 012), hip (27.4±27.7 mm vs. 9.2±17.1 mm, p=0. 004), and knee (25. 0±27. 0 mm vs. 11.9±20.1 mm, p=0. 026), while no significant differences were found for the hand/wrist, elbows, neck, and ankle/foot. Despite these differences in joint pain scores, usage of pain relief therapy was not significantly different between groups (p=0.143), and no significant differences in joint surgery history were found for any joint (hand/wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, back, hip, knee, ankle/foot: Range p: 0.25-1). Similarly, no significant differences were revealed between groups for number of patients with surgery on 1 joint (p=0.581), 2 joints (p=1), >3joints (p=1) or no history of joint surgery (p=0.815). Conclusion Patients with ACRO had higher pain scores for shoulder, hips, knees and back despite no differences in usage of pain relief therapy or history of joint surgeries when compared with NFA. This raises the question if ACRO patients are potentially being undertreated for joint symptoms. Additionally, the pattern of joint involvement is somewhat distinct in ACRO such that larger and proximal joints are more typically involved. Presentation: No date and time listed

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