Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT3797

Introduction: Acromegaly is a severe neuroendocrine disorder caused by chronic excessive secretion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in individuals who have completed their physiological growth. The most common causes of mortality in acromegaly are cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as respiratory system pathologies. Sleep-disordered breathing worsens the quality of life and increases the risk of various cardiovascular complications. It is essential to emphasize the importance of timely diagnosis of the disease and the development of optimal treatment pathways to prevent the progression of complications.

Objective: To analyze the referral process for patients with acromegaly to a sleep specialist and the possibilities for conducting diagnostic assessments.

Materials and Methods: A survey of specialists from various fields using a questionnaire.

Results: A total of 171 specialists participated in the survey, with the majority being endocrinologists (81.9%), followed by dentists (7.6%), pediatric endocrinologists (4.7%), maxillofacial surgeons (1.75%), and physicians from other specialties (4.1%). Among the respondents, 71.9% of specialists had experience working with patients suffering from acromegaly. However, among them, 68.4% did not refer patients to a somnologist due to the paid nature of the process, while 29.2% encountered a lack of specialists who could assess sleep, diagnose sleep apnea, and recommend treatment methods such as CPAP. According to the survey data, 81.9% of physicians believe that somnological assistance for such patients is inadequate, highlighting the need for improved access to specialized care and referrals in the field of somnology for patients with acromegaly.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the inadequacy of the diagnosis and treatment provided to patients with acromegaly suffering from apnea. According to the results obtained, this is related to the inaccessibility of free consultations and the conduct of cardiorespiratory monitoring. The analyzed data will serve as a foundation for improving the pathway for patients with acromegaly, which could significantly enhance the quality of medical care and improve the quality of life for patients.