Acromegaly might not negatively affect microvascular circulation

Background Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis are well known complications of acromegaly. However, current data on microvascular circulation are limited. Aims To evaluate microvascular circulation in patients with acromegaly. Methods This comparative study included a total of 21 patients with acromegaly and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. A stereomicroscope under x100 magnification was used by a single rheumatologist to evaluate the capillary dimensions (capillary loop length, capillary width) and capillary/mm count in the capillaries of subjects. Statistical data analysis was conducted using the SPSS 15.0 package program. Results The mean number of capillaries per millilitre (normal >= 8/mL) in the acromegaly group (AG) and healthy controls (HC) was 7.67 +/- 1.88 and 8.67 +/- 0.65, respectively (P = 0.04). In the AG and the HC, the number of tortuous capillaries, the mean capillary loop length and the mean capillary width were not different. Although the median number of capillaries in the AG was lower than in the HC, it was still within normal limits. Conclusion Although the number of capillaries was statistically lower in patients with acromegaly, they were within a normal range and the difference was not clinically significant. Moreover, there was no difference in morphological characteristics between the groups. While endothelial dysfunction is the earliest known marker of the atherosclerotic process and is considered to be one of the complications of acromegaly, the disease may not result in impairment of microvasculature of those people afflicted by it.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate microvascular circulation in patients with acromegaly. Results showed that although the number of capillaries was statistically lower in these patients, they were within normal range and there were no differences in morphological characteristics between the groups.