Age and sex as predictors of biochemical activity in acromegaly: analysis of 1485 patients from the German Acromegaly Register

Objective We evaluated the German Acromegaly Register for clinical variables associated with the initial biochemical activity of patients with acromegaly. Design Retrospective analysis of data in the registry. Patients A total of 1485 patients with acromegaly (males 45 center dot 6%, females 54 center dot 4%) were treated in 42 German endocrine centres until November 2005. Linear regression models were used to estimate the influence of various parameters on biochemical activity. Results Male patients with acromegaly were significantly younger at the time of diagnosis than female patients (41 vs. 47 years, P < 0 center dot 0001) and had significantly higher random GH levels than females (21 vs. 14 ng/ml, P < 0 center dot 005) and IGF-1 levels (773 vs. 679 ng/ml, P < 0 center dot 0001), respectively. Age at initial presentation turned out to be the most important independent risk factor associated with random GH levels, oral glucose tolerance test-suppressed GH levels, IGF-1 levels, body mass index (BMI), tumour size and prevalence of hypopituitarism. Sex was an independent risk factor for IGF-1 levels, BMI and prevalence of hypopituitarism. Tumour size was an independent risk factor for both GH and IGF-1 levels. Conclusions In summary, initial biochemical activity of acromegaly is influenced by patient's age and to a lesser degree by patient's sex. Male patients are on an average 6 years younger than females.