Clinical and treatment response differences according to age and gender in patients with acromegaly in Colombia: A retrospective study

Context: Acromegaly is a rare disease characterized by excessive growth of bones and soft tissues due to hypersecretion of the growth hormone (GH), usually associated with pituitary tumors. Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce chronic complications. Objective: To determine if there are clinical differences and differences in the treatment response according to age and gender in patients with acromegaly in Colombia. Methods: Observational, analytical, multicenter, retrospective cohort study based on a national registry of patients with acromegaly in Colombia. Results: A total of 201 patients were included (of whom 60% were women and 75% were under 60 years old). The average weight was 75.1 kg ± 12.9 and the height was 1.63 m ± 0.08, with men and those under 60 years old tending to be taller. The average time of evolution of the disease until diagnosis was 6.9 ± 4.4 years, however, older adults had a longer time of 8.6 ± 5.7 years, with no differences with respect to gender. The most common type of tumor was macroadenoma in 78% of cases. In addition to the classic symptoms of the disease, decreased libido was found more frequently in men, and depression was predominant in those over 60 years old. Arterial hypertension, colonic and hepatobiliary pathology were more common in women. Cardiomyopathy, hypertension and bone pathology (osteoporosis and osteopenia) were more frequent among people over 60 years old. Surgical intervention, combined with medical management, was the preferred treatment approach for individuals aged 18 to 60 and was associated with improved clinical outcomes. Conclusion: The combined treatment of surgery and medical management was associated with better clinical control of acromegaly, with no significant differences in disease control by gender or age group.