Signs and symptoms of acromegaly at diagnosis: the physician's and the patient's perspectives in the ACRO-POLIS study

Abstract

Purpose: Acromegaly is characterized by a broad range of manifestations. Early diagnosis is key to treatment success, but is often delayed as symptomatology overlaps with common disorders. We investigated sign-and-symptom associations, demographics, and clinical characteristics at acromegaly diagnosis.

Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, multicenter non-interventional study conducted at 25 hospital departments in France that treat acromegaly (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02012127). Adults diagnosed with acromegaly < 5 years were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical reports and patient questionnaires. Sign-and-symptom associations were assessed by multiple correspondence analysis (MCA).

Results: Overall, 472 patients were included in the analyses. MCA was unsuccessful in identifying sign-and-symptom associations at diagnosis. Endocrinologists (29.5% patients) and other clinical specialists (37.2% patients) were commonly first to suspect acromegaly. Morphologic manifestations (83.7-87.9% patients), snoring syndrome (81.4% patients), and asthenia (79.2% patients) were frequently present at diagnosis; differences were found between sexes for specific manifestations. Rates of discrepancy between patient- and physician-reported manifestations were highest for functional signs. Earliest manifestations prior to diagnosis, according to how they were detected, were enlarged hands and feet (6.4 ± 6.8 and 6.2 ± 6.9 years, functional signs), hypertension (6.6 ± 7.5 years, complementary examination) and carpal/cubital tunnel syndrome (5.7 ± 6.7 years, functional signs with complementary examination).

Conclusions: Results confirm the broad range of manifestations at diagnosis and delay in recognizing the disease. We identified early manifestations and sex differences that may aid physicians in diagnosing acromegaly. Discrepancy rates suggest physicians should obtain the patient's perspective and seek functional signs during diagnosis.

Keywords: Acromegaly; Diagnosis; Multiple correspondence analysis; Sign-and-symptom association.

Fig. 1

Frequency of symptoms and comorbidities at diagnosis of acromegaly (analysis population; secondary endpoint) with sex differences. Bars represent the percentage of patients with each manifestation. Error bars represent 95% CI. CI confidence intervals, CRF case report form. ^#Re-classified manifestation

Fig. 2

a Discrepancies between manifestations reported in the CRF versus the patient questionnaire at time of acromegaly diagnosis (analysis population; post hoc analysis), b frequency of mode of manifestation reporting at acromegaly diagnosis (patient questionnaire only versus the CRF only) (analysis population). *N = 472 except amenorrhea or spaniomenorrhea n = 269; galactorrhea n = 270; gynecomastia n = 202; hirsutism and/or acne n = 270. ^†Amenorrhea or spaniomenorrhea, galactorrhea; and hirsutism and/or acne are displayed as % of women; gynecomastia is displayed as % of men. For % patients with discrepancy, a discrepancy is defined as a sign or comorbidity reported in either the CRF or patient questionnaire, but not both. CE comorbidities diagnosed based on complementary examinations; CRF case report form, FS functional signs (detected after patients report the manifestation, or after clinical examination); FS + CE, symptoms or comorbidities diagnosed on functional signs and confirmed by complementary examinations

Fig. 3

Occurrence of manifestations at timeframes prior to diagnosis (analysis population; post hoc analysis) reported by patients. *Amenorrhea or spaniomenorrhea, galactorrhea; and hirsutism increase and/or acne are displayed as % of female patients only gynecomastia are displayed as % of male patients only). Signs, symptoms and comorbidities prelisted in the CRF and in the patient questionnaire that were reported by patients are described at timeframes before the diagnosis of acromegaly. Results for frequency of manifestations at timeframes prior to diagnosis are n = 472 except for amenorrhea or spaniomenorrhea, galactorrhea, hirsutism increase and/or acne (n = 270); and gynecomastia (n = 202). CE comorbidities diagnosed based on complementary examinations, CRF case report form, FS functional signs (detected after patients report the manifestation, or after clinical examination); FS + CE, symptoms or comorbidities diagnosed on functional signs and confirmed by complementary examinations; SD standard deviation

Fig. 4

Mean time prior to diagnosis (years) between the detection of early acromegaly manifestations and diagnosis in men and women (analysis population; post hoc analysis). Bars represent the mean number of years prior to acromegaly diagnosis. Error bars represent 95% CI. *Represents statistical significance vs. women. CI confidence intervals