Obesity in a patient with acromegaly: a case report

Acromegaly is a severe neuroendocrine disease characterized by excessive production of the growth hormone (GH). The slow development of symptoms increases the diagnostic search up to 15 years. Permanent effect of the growth hormone on the human body can cause structural and functional disorders of organs. The main complications of acromegaly include cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal system dysfunction, as well as impaired carbohydrate metabolism and an increased risk of developing neoplasms. Often, nonspecific symptoms of acromegaly can be masked by other pathologies or their complications, such as obesity. An increase in subcutaneous fat, increased blood pressure, joint pain, edema, and impaired carbohydrate and lipid metabolism are observed both in acromegaly and in obesity. An additional factor in the development of obesity as a complication of acromegaly is the development of sleep apnea, which triggers a series of pathological processes that ultimately lead to Pickwickian syndrome. We present a clinical case of a patient with acromegaly and obesity, discussing the effects of excess body weight on the course of the underlying disease, the presence of complications, and an individual approach to treatment.