MON-306 Acromegaly Comorbidity Costs, Quality of Life, and Mortality: Lifetime Comparisons for Controlled Acromegaly, Uncontrolled Acromegaly, and the General US Population
Authors: Whittington Melanie D , Campbell Jonathan D , Brett McQueen R , Munoz Kathryn A , Whalen John D , Ribeiro-Oliveira Antonio 
Published: May 2020

Acromegaly is a rare, chronic disorder characterized by hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) that stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). In addition to the physical manifestations, such as acral soft-tissue enlargement and maxillofacial changes, patients may develop a number of comorbidities, often prior to diagnosis. The goal of acromegaly treatment is to achieve biochemical control (normalization of GH and IGF-1 levels), which may resolve or prevent worsening of comorbid conditions. The objective of this study was to quantify the economic burden of comorbidities associated with acromegaly, including diabetes, hypertension, colon cancer, sleep apnea, and hypopituitarism. Comparisons were made between patients with acromegaly and biochemical control, patients with acromegaly without biochemical control, and the general population. Literature was reviewed to identify the prevalence of comorbidities among the groups, as well as the influence of each comorbidity on healthcare costs, quality of life, and mortality. Inputs from the literature were synthesized using a decision-analytic cohort model with a starting age of 55 years old and 55% female and extrapolated over a lifetime. Acromegaly-associated morbidity and mortality were not modeled due to possible double counting between acromegaly and other comorbidities. The average comorbidity count measure (range from 0 to 5) was a sum across all 5 comorbidity prevalence rates for all those living in the cohort per year of survival. Comorbidity prevalence was higher among acromegalic patients vs the general population for all comorbidities. Within acromegaly, uncontrolled disorder was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. Lifetime discounted comorbidity costs were ~$121,000, ~$313,000, and ~$406,000 in the general population, acromegaly controlled, and acromegaly uncontrolled populations, respectively. Lifetime discounted life years were 17.6, 16.9, and 16.7 in the general population, acromegaly controlled, and acromegaly uncontrolled populations, respectively. Lifetime discounted quality-adjusted life years were 14.6, 11.7, and 10.4 in in the general population, acromegaly controlled, and acromegaly uncontrolled populations, respectively. Lifetime discounted average comorbidity count was 0.8, 1.9, and 2.4 in each group, respectively. Compared with controlled acromegaly, uncontrolled disorder resulted in $93,000 additional comorbidity-related costs, 1.3 fewer years of perfect health, and 0.5 more comorbidities across the remaining lifespan. This simulation model suggests achieving biochemical control seems to be associated with improvements in cost, quality of life, and mortality. A multimodal treatment strategy including biochemical control and management of comorbidities is necessary to promote optimal patient outcomes.