Quality of life of patients with acromegaly: comparison of different therapeutic modalities

Background Acromegaly is a rare disease that significantly affects patients' quality of life (QoL) - especially appearance, pain, depression, energy and vitality. The aim is to assess and compare the acromegaly patients' QoL related to the type of pharmacotherapy using specific and generic QoL measuring instruments. Research design and methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study among 163 hospitalized acromegaly patients was conducted. QoL was measured by Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (AcroQol), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and EQ-5D-3 L. Results Women had lower AcroQol values than men 50 vs. 66 (p < 0.05). Lower values for octreotide than octreotide + pegvisomant were found with all questionnaires: 57 vs. 67 AcroQol (p = 0.0405), 0.699 vs. 0.7586 EQ-5D (p = 0.0595) and 57.94 vs. 66.06 SF-36 scores (p > 0.093) . A significant correlation between AcroQoL, SF-36 and EQ-5D-3 L scores (rs> 0, p < 0.00001) was revealed. AcroQol, EQ-5D and SF-36 are reliable questionnaires applicable for Bulgarian population with acromegaly. Conclusion This pilot study confirmed that combination therapy which includes biological therapy is related to higher physical appearance AcroQol scores than nonbiological monotherapy - a conclusion which should be further confirmed.