A practical approach to acromegaly management in Latin America

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence-based treatment guidelines have undoubtedly advanced medical practice and supported optimal management of acromegaly, but their applicationmay be hampered by limited access to the latest treatment options. Methods: In this retrospective, narrative review, the authors revisited existing treatment guidelines for acromegaly in Latin America. These were considered in conjunction with published evidence chosen at the authors' discretion. Findings: In a socially and economically diverse region, such as Latin America, any regional practice guidelines need to appreciate that recommended treatment options, such as surgery by expert pituitary surgical teams and drug therapies, especially somatostatin analogs, are often not available due to limited resources. In these instances, physicians may be obliged to apply less effective therapeutic options. Conclusions: The current article looks at the practical aspects of acromegaly management in Latin America and discusses this in the context of existing guidelines. Furthermore, we consider potential strategies to make better use of resources through combination and multimodal approaches to treatment. © The Author(s) 2013.