Glucose tolerance and somatostatin analog treatment in acromegaly: A 12-month study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of first-line somatostatin analogs (SSAs) on glucose tolerance (GT) in acromegaly. Design: The design was open and prospective. Patients: One hundred twelve patients [63 with normal GT (56.2%), 24 with impaired GT (21.4%), and 25 with diabetes (22.3%)] were treated with depot SSAs for 12 months: 54 patients (48.2%) achieved mean fasting GH levels less than 2.5 μg/liter in presence of normal IGF-I levels (controlled) during SSA. Primary Outcome Measures: Fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were measured. Results: At study end, 57 patients had normal GT (50.1% vs. baseline; P = 0.55), 30 had impaired fasting glucose or impairedGT(26.8%, P=0.43) and 25 had diabetes (22.3%; P=1.0). Twenty-eight patients (25.0%), modified their GT [11 improved (9.8%), 17 worsened (15.2%)]: 90% of the patients with GT improvement achieved control of acromegaly and 89% of those having GT worsening did not (P < 0.0001). The major predictors of GT changing were disease control (t= -4.99; P<0.0001), baseline GT (t= -2.84; P=0.0054), and GH levels (t=2.70; P=0.008). Fasting glucose levels were predicted by patients' age (t = 2.74; P = 0.0071) and IGF-I levels (t = 2.14; P = 0.035). Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were predicted by disease duration (t=3.53; P=0.0006), GH levels (t = 2.70; P = 0.0071), and IGF-I levels (t = 2.11; P = 0.037). Conclusions: This study showed a similar prevalence of deterioration and improvement of GT 12 months after first-line SSA treatment. Uncontrolled acromegaly during SSA treatment and abnormal GT at baseline were associated with GT worsening. Copyright © 2009 by The Endocrine Society.