Musculoskeletal disease in acromegaly—a population-based registry study
Authors' conclusion
In acromegaly, severe osteoarthritis involving multiple joints develops even before acromegaly diagnosis and continues to progress over time after acromegaly treatment. Furthermore, acromegaly imposes an increased risk of medically treated osteoporosis, musculoskeletal surgery-particularly joint replacement surgery-, surgical complications, and the necessity of analgesic medication. Our findings warrant further research into the management of musculoskeletal disease in acromegaly.
Study context
- Population
- Danish acromegaly patients, 1977–2021matched 1:100
- Exposure
- Acromegaly patients vs matched healthy controls
- Acromegalyn = 844
- Outcome
- Risk of osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal surgery (incl. joint replacement), osteoporosis, fractures and analgesic consumption
Methodological detailsnational, matched 1:100 with healthy controls
- National
- Matched 1:100 with healthy controls
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Osteoarthritis · even before acromegaly diagnosis
Each group vs controlsEstimate (CI)
Acromegaly
HR (shoulder) 5.25(3.05–9.06)
Acromegaly
HR (hip) 3.15(2.57–3.87)
Acromegaly
HR (knee) 2.25(1.85–2.72)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | HR (CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Joint replacement surgeryAcromegalyvs ControlsShoulder | 4.60 (2.57–8.25) | |
| Joint replacement surgeryAcromegalyvs ControlsHip | 3.32 (2.67–4.12) | |
| Joint replacement surgeryAcromegalyvs ControlsKnee | 2.52 (1.89–3.36) | |
| Weak analgesic prescription | 1.22 (1.04–1.44) | |
| Opioid prescription | 1.58 (1.38–1.82) | |
| 0.10.31310Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Repeat hip surgery
- Increased risk of repeat hip surgery in patients, HR
- 3.64 (2.09; 6.34)
Safety
- Increased risk of surgical complications in patients, HR
- 2.19 (1.59; 3.03)
Original publication
Musculoskeletal disease in acromegaly—a population-based registry study. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 13 March 2025. doi:10.
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