"Patients with Acromegaly Have Higher Incidence of Arrhythmia and Heart Failure"

Research Team Led by Professor Park Cheol-Young, Department of Endocrinology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] A domestic study has found that acromegaly affects the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, including death.

The research team led by Professor Park Cheol-young of the Department of Endocrinology at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital tracked the data of 1,874 acromegaly patients without a history of cardiovascular disease or stroke, out of 2,259 acromegaly patients registered with the National Health Insurance Service from 2006 to 2016, for an average of 7.5 years. They revealed on the 28th that the incidence rates of arrhythmia and heart failure were higher in acromegaly patients.

Acromegaly is a rare disease in which the pituitary tumor continues to secrete growth hormone even after growth has ended, causing enlargement of the extremities such as hands, feet, jaw, nose, and ears. Although acromegaly was presumed to affect the heart, it was difficult to know the exact details due to the low frequency of the disease.

According to Professor Park’s team, the incidence rate of arrhythmia in acromegaly patients was 3.06 per 1,000 people per year, significantly higher than 1.07 per 1,000 people per year in the control group. Additionally, the incidence rate of heart failure in acromegaly patients was 3.11 per 1,000 people per year, compared to 1.63 per 1,000 people per year in the control group, indicating a higher incidence of heart failure in acromegaly patients.

In particular, even after adjusting for age, sex, and the presence of type 2 diabetes, the risk of developing arrhythmia and heart failure increased by 59% and 54%, respectively, compared to the control group, suggesting an independent effect of acromegaly, the research team explained.

On the other hand, the incidence rates of myocardial infarction and stroke in acromegaly patients were 3.27 per 1,000 people per year, showing no significant difference from the control group (2.65 per 1,000 people per year).

Professor Park emphasized, "Although the higher incidence of heart disease in acromegaly patients has been estimated through several previous studies, this is the first analysis based on long-term observation data of many patients." He added, "Not only did acromegaly patients show a high risk of arrhythmia and heart failure, but heart failure did not show significant improvement even after treatment, so active cardiac examination and risk factor management are necessary from the time of diagnosis."

Meanwhile, this study was published in the European Heart Journal, a European cardiology journal.