GH and IGF-I excess control contributes to blood pressure control: results of an observational, retrospective, multicentre study in 105 hypertensive acromegalic patients on hypertensive treatment.
BACKGROUND
Approximately one-third of patients with acromegaly have concomitant hypertension. The outcome of hypertension after treatment of acromegaly is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of GH and IGF-I control on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels.


METHODS
One hundred and five hypertensive patients (60 women, 45 men) with active disease receiving treatment for hypertension at their diagnosis of acromegaly.


METHODS
Observational, retrospective, multicentre.


METHODS
At diagnosis and after 24 months (median) of treatment we measured serum GH and IGF-I levels, blood pressure levels, left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMi), early-to-late mitral flow velocity (E/A, as a measure of diastolic function) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF, as a measure of systolic function).


RESULTS
At the diagnosis of acromegaly, hypertension was mild in 41.1% and severe in 58.9%. Serum GH and IGF-I levels did not differ in patients with mild or severe hypertension. After 24 months of treatment, all patients had a notable decrease in both GH and IGF-I levels, and achieved significantly lower levels of DBP, heart rate and LVMi; 76 patients (71%) had achieved control of GH and IGF-I levels. Only the patients with controlled acromegaly achieved significantly lower SBP levels and significantly improved cardiac systolic and diastolic function. A higher dose of antihypertensive drugs and/or an increased number of drugs to control hypertension were significantly greater in patients with uncontrolled (32.3%) than in those with controlled acromegaly (7.8%; P = 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Hypertensive patients with controlled acromegaly achieved improved control of hypertension and of cardiac diastolic and systolic function. The use of antihypertensive drugs was significantly less in patients achieving control of acromegaly.
Colao
Annamaria
A
Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, Italy. colao@unina.it
Terzolo
Massimo
M
Bondanelli
Marta
M
Galderisi
Maurizio
M
Vitale
Giovanni
G
Reimondo
Giuseppe
G
Ambrosio
Maria Rosaria
MR
Pivonello
Rosario
R
Lombardi
Gaetano
G
Angeli
Alberto
A
degli Uberti
Ettore C
EC
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I