[Treatment of acromegaly - data from the German Acromegaly Register]

Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2023 Mar;148(7):380-385. doi: 10.1055/a-1847-2553. Epub 2023 Mar 20.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Acromegaly is a rare disease in which chronic growth hormone overproduction (usually from an anterior pituitary adenoma) leads to various systemic complications. The management of acromegaly and the comorbidities of the disease is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. Early diagnosis is extremely important, as then the chances of a complete cure are significantly higher. The operation is the therapy of first choice and should be performed at a specialized center with an experienced neurosurgeon. With good patient information and guidance, the drug therapy of acromegaly patients in specialized practices and clinics can usually lead to biochemical control and thereby normalization of mortality risk. As with numerous rare diseases, care in specialized centers and recording and evaluation in registry studies can contribute to better patient care and the optimization of therapy and diagnostic guidelines. We assume that with the help of the German Acromegaly Registry, which currently includes more than 2500 patients with acromegaly, we will be able to present a realistic picture of the care situation in Germany in the coming years.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Acromegaly* / diagnosis
  • Acromegaly* / epidemiology
  • Acromegaly* / therapy
  • Adenoma* / diagnosis
  • Adenoma* / epidemiology
  • Adenoma* / therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Humans