Increased prevalence of acromegaly in a highly polluted area

Abstract

Objective: Despite the contribution of national registries and population-based reports, data concerning the epidemiology of acromegaly is scanty. In addition, the role of the environmental context has not been investigated.

Design: Epidemiology of acromegaly was studied in the province of Messina (Sicily, Italy), focusing on the influence of environmental factors.

Methods: Four zones, characterized by different degrees of exposition to environmental toxins due to industrial pollution, were identified in the province: area A (76,338 inhabitants), area B (287,328 inhabitants), area C (243,381 inhabitants), and area D (47,554 inhabitants) at low, middle-low, middle, and high industrial density respectively. We identified all acromegalics who were born and resided in the province of Messina, among patients either referred to our endocrine unit or referred elsewhere but recorded in the archives of the provincial healthcare agency.

Results: In the province of Messina, we found 64 patients (2 in area A, 24 in area B, 28 in area C, and 10 in area D). Macroadenomas were 60%, the male/female ratio was 1, and mean age at diagnosis (±s.e.m.) was 45.4±1.6 years. Overall, prevalence was 97 c.p.m. in the province (26 c.p.m. in area A, 84 c.p.m. in area B, 115 c.p.m. in area C, and 210 c.p.m. in area D). Risk ratio (RR), calculated in every area assuming area A as a reference, showed an increased risk of developing acromegaly in people residing in area D (RR=8.03; P<0.0014).

Conclusion: This study confirms the prevalence of acromegaly reported recently. The increased risk of developing this disease in area D suggests that the pathogenetic role of environmental context needs to be better evaluated.