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Endocrine Abstracts (2014) 35 P673 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.35.P673

1Department of Endocrinology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; 2Department of Endocrinology, National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark; 3Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; 4Department of Endocrinology, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark; 5Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; 6Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.


Introduction: Acromegaly is a rare disease caused by GH hypersecretion from a pituitary adenoma. However, accurate estimates of incidence and prevalence are scarce and not based on nationwide populations. It is well known that surgical cure may normalize mortality and improve morbidity but similar data are not available for patients receiving medical treatment.

Method: We first validated the ICD-8 and ICD-10 diagnosis codes for acromegaly in The National Registry of Patients by a systematic patient chart review of related diagnosis and pertinent clinical biochemistry. Data on the entire acromegaly cohort were then obtained by individual patient chart review and by using several national databases such as The Cancer Registry, The Registry of Cause of Death and The National Registry of Patients.

Results: The mean incidence rate of acromegaly from 1989 to 2010 were 3.8 cases/million per year (95% CI 3.6–4.1) with a prevalence of 85 cases/million in 2010. The mean age at diagnosis was 47 years (95% CI 46–48) with a sex distribution on 49% males (95% CI 45–53). We found a 1.4 (95% CI 1.2–1.7)-fold increased mortality among patients with acromegaly compared to the background population. The impact of different treatment modalities on mortality is under investigation.

Conclusion: This nationwide study is the first to provide accurate estimates of incidence and prevalence rates of acromegaly and to evaluate the impact of medical treatment as compared to surgery.

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