Progression of acromegalic joint and psychological complications according to sex, treatments, and disease control
Authors' conclusion
Female sex and prior radiotherapy emerged as predictors of progressive joint symptom worsening. Changes in depression and joint complaints alongside disease course suggest a complex involvement of IGF1. Dopamine agonists may negatively affect mood, though further studies are needed. Overall, joint disease had a greater and independent negative impact on QoL compared to mood disorder. Articular and psychological complications remain a significant burden, particularly in women with acromegaly.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with acromegaly, excluding those with inflammatory rheumatic diseases; assessed at baseline and after 42 months
- Participants
- 95 patients
- Outcome
- Clinical predictors of progression of articular and psychological complications (WOMAC, AIMS, VAS; Quality of life (QoL) by AcroQoL)
- Follow-up
- 42 months
Methodological detailsmulticenter
- Multicenter
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Clinical predictors of progression (regression model)
- Female sex associated with worsening joint symptoms: VAS
- P = .0302
- Female sex associated with worsening joint symptoms: AIMS symptoms
- P = .0328
- Prior radiotherapy associated with worsening joint symptoms (AIMS)
- P = .0071
- Dopamine agonist use linked to higher AIMS depression scores
- P = .0224
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Joint pain and mood by disease activity
- Patients with disease recurrence showed lower joint pain scores vs baseline
- Mood scores improved with disease remission
Mortality
- Suicide emerged as a relevant cause of death in this cohort
Original publication
Progression of acromegalic joint and psychological complications according to sex, treatments, and disease control. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 13 March 2026. doi:10.
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