High Prevalence of Acromegaly in Different Industrial Areas: A Population-based Study at Haifa and Western Galilee District – Clalit Medical Health Care
2Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University
3Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Zvulon Medical Center, Haifa and Western Galilee District, Clalit Health Services
4Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Lin Medical Center, Thechion, Faculty of Medicine, Clalit Health Services
5Clinic of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Karmiel, Clalit Health Services
6Division of Family Medicine, Clinical Research Unit, Clalit Health Services
7Department of Internal Medicine, Carmel Medical Center., Clalit Health Services, Thechion, Faculty of Medicine Haifa
Objective:
National registries for acromegaly and population-based data have an important contribution to disease understanding and management. Data concerning the epidemiology of acromegaly in Israel is scanty.
Design:
The epidemiology of acromegaly was studied in different industrial areas in northern Israel
Methods:
Data from adult patients diagnosed with acromegaly in 2000-2020, living in Haifa and Western Galilee District were collected using the electronic database from Clalit Medical Healthcare. Additionally, medical records were reviewed carefully. The prevalence of acromegaly in three distinct areas and overall were reported. Additionally, other epidemiological data including associated comorbidities, pituitary tumor size and treatment modalities were collected.
Results:
77 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acromegaly were identified. The overall prevalence was 155 cases/ 106 inhabitants without statistically significant differences between the three areas. The mean age at diagnosis was 50 ±1.8 years and the male to female ratio was 1.1. Macroadenoma and microadenoma were identified in 44 (57%) and 25 (33%) respectively. The frequency rate of acromegaly-associated comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoporosis was similar to previously reported studies. The mean BMI was 29 ± 5.6 kg/m2 and obesity with a BMI ≥ of 30 kg/m 2 was found in 29 (38%) of the patients. The majority of patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery 67 (87%), normalized IGF-1 was reported in 64 (83%).
Conclusion:
High prevalence of acromegaly was found in northern Israel. The pituitary microadenoma frequency rate is the Highest to be reported.
