Acromegaly Nursing Care Plan &
Management
Definition
● Acromegaly is a rare, chronic, and disabling disorder of body growth and endocrine
dysfunction in adults (after closure of the epiphyses) that is caused by excessive
levels of growth hormone (GH). It occurs in approximately 40 persons per million. In
adults, it is almost always due to a growth hormone–secreting pituitary adenoma.
The excess production of GH causes enlargement of tissues and an altered
production of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and gonadotropins. Left
untreated, acromegaly causes gross physical deformities, crippling neuromuscular
alterations, major organ dysfunctions, and decreased visual acuity. Arthritis or
carpal tunnel syndrome may also develop. Acromegaly increases an individual’s risk
for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and gallstones. The resultant cardiac disease
reduces life expectancy.
, Causes
● The overproduction of GH is a result of hyperpituitarism. More than 90% of patients
have a pituitary adenoma. The etiology of adenomas is unknown. Hyperpituitarism
can also occur with lung, gastric, breast, and ovarian cancers and may have a
genetic cause.
Genetic Considerations
● While most cases of acromegaly are not inherited, mutations in the GNAS1 gene
can cause GH secreting pituitary adenomas (somatotropin mas). These can be
transmitted in an autosomal dominant pattern. Familial acromegaly may also be a
feature of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I), an autosomal dominant
disorder that includes peptic ulcer disease and pituitary, parathyroid, and pancreas
endocrine abnormalities.
Gender, Ethnic/Racial, and Life Span Considerations
● Diagnosis of acromegaly usually occurs after the age of 40 in men and 45 in
women, and occurs more frequently in women than in men. Ethnicity and race have
no known effects on the risk for acromegaly.
Risk Factors
● Some rare cases of acromegaly are hereditary.
● The average age of diagnosis is 40-45 years old.
Management
Definition
● Acromegaly is a rare, chronic, and disabling disorder of body growth and endocrine
dysfunction in adults (after closure of the epiphyses) that is caused by excessive
levels of growth hormone (GH). It occurs in approximately 40 persons per million. In
adults, it is almost always due to a growth hormone–secreting pituitary adenoma.
The excess production of GH causes enlargement of tissues and an altered
production of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and gonadotropins. Left
untreated, acromegaly causes gross physical deformities, crippling neuromuscular
alterations, major organ dysfunctions, and decreased visual acuity. Arthritis or
carpal tunnel syndrome may also develop. Acromegaly increases an individual’s risk
for heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and gallstones. The resultant cardiac disease
reduces life expectancy.
, Causes
● The overproduction of GH is a result of hyperpituitarism. More than 90% of patients
have a pituitary adenoma. The etiology of adenomas is unknown. Hyperpituitarism
can also occur with lung, gastric, breast, and ovarian cancers and may have a
genetic cause.
Genetic Considerations
● While most cases of acromegaly are not inherited, mutations in the GNAS1 gene
can cause GH secreting pituitary adenomas (somatotropin mas). These can be
transmitted in an autosomal dominant pattern. Familial acromegaly may also be a
feature of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I), an autosomal dominant
disorder that includes peptic ulcer disease and pituitary, parathyroid, and pancreas
endocrine abnormalities.
Gender, Ethnic/Racial, and Life Span Considerations
● Diagnosis of acromegaly usually occurs after the age of 40 in men and 45 in
women, and occurs more frequently in women than in men. Ethnicity and race have
no known effects on the risk for acromegaly.
Risk Factors
● Some rare cases of acromegaly are hereditary.
● The average age of diagnosis is 40-45 years old.
