ACROMEGALY- INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS AND PARTICULARITIES OF THERAPY IN ROMANIA.
MĂDĂLINA MUŞAT, ADINA GHEMIGIAN, CĂTĂLINA BOANŢĂ, RUCSANDRA DĂNCIULESCU MIULESCU, CONSTANTIN DUMITRACHE
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Abstract:
Acromegaly is a chronic, slow-progressing disease that impairs the quality of life and the life expectancy due to its metabolic, cardiovascular, neurologic and oncologic complications, which also increase the cost of medical assistance. The disease is due to increased GH secretion from a pituitary adenoma, which is a macroadenoma in 80% of cases.
International committees of experts have extensively revised diagnostic criteria and therapeutic options in acromegaly. Diagnostic criteria, based on the lack of suppression of growth hormone (GH) secretion and increased inhibitory growth factor-1 (IGF1), are commented in the present article.
Goals of therapy in acromegaly are to normalize GH and IGF1 levels, elimination of mass effect and reversal of associated neurologic problems, alleviation of associated comorbidities, preservation/restoration of pituitary function, prevention of tumor recurrence. Therapeutic means in acromegaly have continuously evolved, with new compounds some of which are recently available on Romanian market, also.
Because these efficient drugs are very expensive, the treatment of acromegaly in Romania is just partially supported by the national insurance policy.
To optimize diagnostic and treatment of acromegaly in Romania is compulsory to implement national endocrine protocols according to international and European guidelines.
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