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.
Authors
- Ioana Golu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6032-6246)
- Melania Balaş (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7135-1380)
- Adrian Vlad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1824-2628)
- Iulia-Ștefania Plotuna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5965-9071)
- Mihaela Vlad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0276-1650)
- Daniela Amzăr (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9547-2061)
Institutions
- Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest (RO)
- Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara (RO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Psychiatry International
- Published
- 2025-06-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint6030074
- Primary Topic
- Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00