Exploring Quality of Life in Acromegaly: The Role of Gender, Psychiatric Disorders, and Comorbidities

(1) Background: Acromegaly is a rare disease associated with multiple complications. Consequently, it has a high clinical burden, which leads to a lower quality of life (QoL). The Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (AcroQoL) is a specific tool developed to assess the impact of the disease on a patient’s physical and emotional well-being. Current research on anxiety has shown that higher levels of psychosocial factors are linked to a poorer quality of life. (2) Methods: Our study included 40 patients (26 women and 14 men) with a mean disease duration of 85.9 ± 97.7 months. Information about disease status, associated comorbidities, and clinical and paraclinical data was obtained. All patients completed the AcroQoL questionnaire. (3) Results: The lowest score was observed on the physical scale, while the least affected scale was personal relations. Biochemical parameters, biochemical control, and adenoma size were not associated with a lower QoL. Gender, age at diagnosis, and comorbidities, such as hypertension and arthropathy, were associated with a decrease in QoL. Additionally, the presence of anxiety and depression, which were mostly reported by women (30.7%), had a negative impact on the global QoL. (4) Conclusions: Early diagnosis of acromegaly can increase the QoL by preventing comorbidities, but there are also non-modifiable factors that have been associated with a decreased QoL. Preventing depression and anxiety could serve as important targets for future interventions.

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Journal
Psychiatry International
Published
2025-06-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint6030074
Primary Topic
Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
Type
article
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article

Exploring Quality of Life in Acromegaly: The Role of Gender, Psychiatric Disorders, and Comorbidities

Ioana Golu, Melania Balaş, Adrian Vlad, Iulia-Ștefania Plotuna et al.
Psychiatry International
Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
article

Exploring Quality of Life in Acromegaly: The Role of Gender, Psychiatric Disorders, and Comorbidities

Ioana Golu, Melania Balaş, Adrian Vlad, Iulia-Ștefania Plotuna, Mihaela Vlad, Daniela Amzăr
article en

Abstract

(1) Background: Acromegaly is a rare disease associated with multiple complications. Consequently, it has a high clinical burden, which leads to a lower quality of life (QoL). The Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (AcroQoL) is a specific tool developed to assess the impact of the disease on a patient’s physical and emotional well-being. Current research on anxiety has shown that higher levels of psychosocial factors are linked to a poorer quality of life. (2) Methods: Our study included 40 patients (26 women and 14 men) with a mean disease duration of 85.9 ± 97.7 months. Information about disease status, associated comorbidities, and clinical and paraclinical data was obtained. All patients completed the AcroQoL questionnaire. (3) Results: The lowest score was observed on the physical scale, while the least affected scale was personal relations. Biochemical parameters, biochemical control, and adenoma size were not associated with a lower QoL. Gender, age at diagnosis, and comorbidities, such as hypertension and arthropathy, were associated with a decrease in QoL. Additionally, the presence of anxiety and depression, which were mostly reported by women (30.7%), had a negative impact on the global QoL. (4) Conclusions: Early diagnosis of acromegaly can increase the QoL by preventing comorbidities, but there are also non-modifiable factors that have been associated with a decreased QoL. Preventing depression and anxiety could serve as important targets for future interventions.

Psychiatry InternationalVol. 6(3)
Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest (RO), Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara (RO)
Openalex Percentile: Top 78%
Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
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