Executive functioning and quality of life in acromegaly

Acromegaly facial changes analysis using last generation artificial intelligence methodology: the AcroFace system

PURPOSE

To describe the development of the AcroFace system, an AI-based system for early detection of acromegaly, based on facial photographs analysis.

METHODS

Two types of features were explored: (1) the visual/texture of a set of 2D facial images, and (2) geometric information obtained from a reconstructed 3D model from a single image. We optimized acromegaly detection by integrating SVM for geometric features and CNNs for visual features, each chosen for their strength in processing distinct data types effectively. This combination enhances overall accuracy by leveraging SVM's capability to manage structured, quantitative data and CNNs' proficiency in interpreting complex image textures, thus providing a comprehensive analysis of both geometric alignment and textural anomalies. ResNet-50, VGG-16, MobileNet, Inception V3, DensNet121 and Xception models were trained with an expert endocrinologist-based score as a ground truth.

RESULTS

ResNet-50 model as a feature extractor and Support Vector Regression (SVR) with a linear kernel showed the best performance (accuracy δ1 of 75% and δ3 of 89%), followed by the VGG-16 as a feature extractor and SVR with a linear kernel. Geometric features yield less accurate results than visual ones. The validation cohort showed the following performance: precision 0.90, accuracy 0.93, F1-Score 0.92, sensitivity 0.93 and specificity 0.93.

CONCLUSION

AcroFace system shows a good performance to discriminate acromegaly and non-acromegaly facial traits that may serve for the detection of acromegaly at an early stage as a screening procedure at a population level.

Quality of life and psychological status in people with acromegaly in relation to facial changes

INTRODUCTION

The diagnosis of acromegaly is often delayed, leading to facial disfigurements that persist despite endocrine cure. We aimed to study the relationship between facial modifications, Quality of Life (QoL), and psychologic status in patients with acromegaly.

METHODS

Sixty-five patients in remission or with hormonal disease control participated (29 women and 36 men; mean age 57.4±13.5 years). The following variables were assessed: a) Quality of life using AcroQoL; b) Anxiety level with the STAI Questionnaire; c) Self-esteem by the Rosemberg Scale; and d) Facial acromegaly phenotypic changes evaluated from photographs by 8 experienced endocrinologists using a Likert scale.

RESULTS

The overall AcroQoL score showed mid-range values, with better scores for men (72.3 vs 56.6, p=0.022). AcroQoL physical domain was also higher for men (59.0 vs 34.9, p=0.006). In the psychological domain, men tended to score better (65.7 vs 54.5, p=0.069), particularly in the appearance subdimension (53.8 vs 38.8, p=0.07), while women had worse anxiety scores (p=0.009). Global self-esteem was high (2.7 ± 0.6 for a maximal value of 3), without sex differences. A trend towards a negative correlation between self-esteem and facial scores was observed (rs= -0.559, p=0.074), indicating a low psychological impact.

CONCLUSION

In controlled acromegaly, QoL is relatively preserved in both genders, although men have better anxiety scores. Facial changes have a weak but persistent negative impact on psychological status, with greater intensity observed in women.

Anxiety, depression and acromegaly: a systematic review

PURPOSE

scientific literature highlights risk factors linked to the onset of psychopathology in different medical pathological contexts. Acromegaly is a rare condition, particularly noteworthy due to the associated clinical psychological features. This research aimed at understanding the main psychopathological outcomes related to acromegaly, with particular emphasis to anxiety and depression.

METHODS

In January 2024, in line with PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search based on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycInfo was conducted to detect studies considering anxiety, depression and alexithymia in patients suffering from acromegaly. The Keywords used for the search phase were "Acromegaly" AND "Depression" OR "Anxiety" OR "Alexithymia".

RESULTS

Fifty-five studies were eligible. Anxiety and depression were significantly present in patients with acromegaly, with prevalence rates variable based on disease status and psycho-diagnostic instruments. None of the included studies reported alexithymia in patients with acromegaly. No significant difference was found regarding anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with acromegaly in comparison with patients suffering from different pituitary diseases and chronic conditions. Anxiety and depression were associated with lower perceived HR-QoL, presence of comorbidity, joint issues, delayed diagnosis, disease duration and body image concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety and depression may be encountered in patients with acromegaly, impacting HR-QoL and the course of the disease. This systematic review suggests that a deeper evaluation of clinical psychological features in patients suffering from acromegaly is needed. Particularly, the early detection of clinical psychological symptoms may lead to multi-integrate interventions promoting individuals' well-being and a better HR-QoL.

Quality of life in patients with acromegaly: a scoping review

PURPOSE

To evaluate the available evidence regarding the quality of life (QoL) in patients with acromegaly, by synthesizing the psychosocial factors of QoL, QoL measures, and complementary interventions targeting QoL.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA-ScR guideline. We searched six English databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) from the inception to August 21, 2023. We included observational studies involving psychosocial factors and complementary interventions targeting QoL (concept) in patients with acromegaly (population) in any setting (context). The design characteristics, psychosocial factors, measures, details of interventions, and outcomes of included studies were described in detail.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies were identified, including sixteen cross-sectional studies and five interventional studies. Ten categories of psychosocial factors that are associated with QoL in acromegaly. Depression and anxiety were the most frequent psychosocial factors. Seven different validated QoL measures were used. AcroQoL was the most common measure. Two categories of complementary interventions targeting QoL were identified including psychological and exercise interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our scoping review provides a reasonably clear picture of the current research status of QoL in acromegaly. However, this review also highlights the need to deepen understanding of QoL and psychosocial factors in the future, as well as conduct longitudinal research and qualitative research to clarify the changing trends of psychosocial factors and specific experiences of patients. Further, more potential clinical complementary interventions are needed to improve QoL for patients with acromegaly.

Cardiomyopathies and Psychiatric Disorders: An Overview and General Clinical Recommendations

The association between cardiomyopathies (CMPs) and psychiatric disorders is a complex and bidirectional phenomenon that involves multiple mechanisms and factors. CMPs may raise the risk of psychiatric disorders due to the psychological stress, physical limitations, social isolation, or poor prognosis associated with the underlying disease. Psychiatric disorders, on the other hand, can increase the possibility of developing or worsening CMPs due to the behavioral, neuroendocrine, inflammatory, or pharmacological effects of mental illness or its treatment. Moreover, some common genetic or environmental factors may have a relevant influence on both conditions. With this comprehensive review, we sought to provide an overview of the current evidence on the strict and intriguing interconnection between CMPs and psychiatric disorders, focusing on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical implications, and management strategies.

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumor: A neuropsychological comparison with intra-axial tumor

OBJECTIVE

Despite pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) being extra-axial tumors without direct damage to brain tissue, patients with PitNET exhibit neuropsychological impairments. However, it remains unclear whether there are neuropsychological differences between PitNET and intra-axial tumors that directly destroy the brain parenchyma. This prospective study aims to clarify this distinction to inform decision-making for intracranial tumors of diverse origins.

METHODS

A total of 146 patients with PitNET, 74 patients with glioma representing intra-axial tumors, and 52 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls were recruited. All patients received standard treatment and postoperative rehabilitation. Clinical data were meticulously collected, and neuropsychological tests were administered to all participants both before and 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Both PitNET and glioma patients experience the dual burden of cognitive and affective deficits. However, the feature of these deficits differs substantially. In PitNET patients, the deficits are relatively mild and focal, whereas in glioma patients, they are severe and extensive. Specifically, PitNET patients exhibit deficits in memory, anxiety, and negative affect. In contrast, glioma patients display deficits in executive function, attention, anxiety, positive/negative affect, and empathy. Notably, except for persistent memory deficits, the majority of neuropsychological scores declines in PitNET patients are restorable and can reach improvement within a short period after standard surgical therapy and perioperative management. Conversely, glioma patients not only fail to show improvements but also demonstrate worsening in terms of general cognition and memory postoperatively.

INTERPRETATION

As an extra-axial tumor, PitNET may exhibit distinctive cognitive and affective functioning compared to intra-axial tumors, highlighting the need for specific treatment approaches for PitNET patients.

Acromegalic Rat Model Presented Cognitive Impairments and Tau Hyperphosphorylation in the Hippocampus

INTRODUCTION

Acromegaly patients, in addition to the most prominent physical and endocrine changes, also exhibit a higher risk of cognitive dysfunction. However, the reasons and mechanisms underlying cognitive impairments in acromegaly patients remain unknown.

METHODS

Acromegalic rats were induced by subcutaneous injection of tumor cells, with continuous monitoring of the body weight and hormones to confirm the occurrence of acromegaly. Behavioral assessments, including open field test, novel object recognition test, and Barnes maze test, were conducted to evaluate the animals' cognitive function. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence techniques were employed to examine changes in the hippocampal tau protein, Aβ, and associated signaling pathways.

RESULTS

The tumor cells secreting growth hormone increased the secretion of growth hormone, resulting in changes in body size and endocrine functions, thus causing acromegaly. The acromegaly model showed deficiencies in working memory and spatial memory. Hyperphosphorylation of tau protein was observed in the hippocampus of the acromegaly model, but no Aβ deposition was observed. The acromegaly model exhibits hippocampal growth hormone (GH) resistance, decreased expression of GH receptors, and subsequently reduced expression activity of the PI3K-Akt-GSK3β signaling pathway, which is responsible for the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein.

CONCLUSION

The prolonged elevation of GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 caused by acromegaly may lead to abnormalities in the SD rat's PI3K-Akt-GSK3β signaling pathway, subsequently resulting in hyperphosphorylation of the hippocampal tau protein and cognitive impairment.

Characteristics of Perioperative Cognitive and Affective Function in Patients with Somatotroph Adenoma

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we evaluate the characteristics of cognitive and affective function in patients with somatotroph adenomas (SAs) that secrete excess growth hormone and the effects of surgical intervention.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective longitudinal study, recruiting 27 patients with SAs, 29 patients with nonfunctional pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) as the lesion control group, and 24 healthy participants as the healthy controls (HCs). These three groups were matched for sex, age, and years of education. We performed multidimensional cognitive function and neuropsychological assessments 1-2 days before endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery and at 3 months postoperatively. The Mini-mental state examination, Montreal cognitive assessment, Frontal assessment battery, Trail making test, and Digit span test were used to assess multidimensional cognitive function, including general intelligence, frontal lobe function, executive function, and memory. The Hamilton anxiety scale, Beck depression inventory, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scale were used for the neuropsychological assessment, including anxiety, depressed mood, and positive and negative emotions.

RESULTS

Compared with the HCs, the patients with SAs showed poor performance in the memory (P = 0.009) and anxiety (P = 0.013) assessments. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between patients with SAs and NFPAs for either cognitive function or effective performance. Moreover, patients with SAs did not show significant changes in cognition and affective behavior after surgery. In contrast, patients with NFPAs displayed significant improvements in memory (P = 0.015), executive function (P < 0.001), and anxiety mood (P = 0.001) performance postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SAs showed specific cognitive deficits and abnormal moods, which might be attributed to the overproduction of growth hormone. However, surgical intervention had a limited effect on improving the impaired cognitive function and abnormal moods in patients with SAs at short-term follow-up.

Executive Functions and Public Health: A Narrative Review

Executive functions (EFs) skills are necessary for regulating the thoughts, emotions, and actions which are associated with many aspects of daily functioning. Executive dysfunction (EDFs) is present in a wide range of mental disorders. New study indicates that EFs may predict health behavior and make it easier to engage in a variety of healthy activities. In this narrative review, EFs and public health are briefly discussed. In general, 133 articles met the inclusion criteria (published 2018-2023) which were reviewed. EFs affect the mental and physical health. Besides individual problems, people with mental problems have heavy costs to society. Mental health cannot be considered separately from general health. Consequently, preventive and therapeutic approaches to mental health should be considered not only at the level of the whole society, but also at the global level.

Cognitive Dysfunction, an Increasingly Valued Long-Term Impairment in Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a chronic disease caused by the overproduction of growth hormone (GH) and accompanying insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is often caused by GH-secreting pituitary adenomas. In addition to its somatic burden, a growing number of studies have found that patients suffering from acromegaly exhibit psychosocial and personality changes. Over the past 70 years, there has been increasing interest in the cognitive impairment and neuropsychological issues of patients with acromegaly, and a variety of neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests have been used to measure cognitive changes in patients. The impact of disease progression status, treatment modalities, and various comorbidities on cognitive function and the mechanisms of cognitive impairment in patients with acromegaly are therefore outlined in this review. Multidisciplinary assessment has important implications for the management of acromegaly, particularly in relation to cognitive function. Here, we summarize the relevant literature concerning cognitive-behavioral research on acromegaly to demonstrate the impact of long-term impairment caused by GH and IGF-1 on the cognitive behavior of patients.

The potential utility of the SAGIT instrument in the clinical assessment of patients with acromegaly, a large single-centre study

SAGIT is an instrument created for the clinical assessment of acromegaly. Our objective was to test the usefulness of this tool in assessing disease activity of acromegalic patients in a single centre of Poznan, Poland using a retrospective study. Medical records of patients with acromegaly hospitalised at the Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine of Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland between January 2015 and December 2020 were analysed. SAGIT scores were assessed according to each patient's clinical and biochemical data. The results show that SAGIT scores were higher in treatment-naïve patients and the lowest in controlled patients. There were positive correlations between SAGIT scores and concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, HbA1C levels, and tumour invasiveness at the time of diagnosis. However, parameters such as age, vitamin D concentration, and time from diagnosis showed an inverse relationship with the SAGIT score. In ROC curve analysis, SAGIT scores of 5 or less discriminated controlled patients from uncontrolled (p < 0.0001, sensitivity 76.7%, specificity 78.5%, AUC 0.867). Also, SAGIT higher than 6 indicated for treatment start or escalation (p < 0.0001, sensitivity 80.88%, specificity 77.59%, AUC 0.866). Lack of signs and symptoms (S = 0) could not discriminate between controlled and uncontrolled disease, but predicted therapy maintenance (p < 0.0004, sensitivity 59.5%, specificity 58.2%, AUC 0.604). In conclusion, The SAGIT instrument is easy to use even when completed in the retrospective medical record review. It can be useful for distinguishing clinical stages of acromegaly and in decision-making.

Questionnaire and tools: clinical powerful instrument in acromegaly diagnosis and management

PURPOSE

Acromegaly is a rare chronic disease characterized by systemic comorbidity and reduced quality of life. Although achieving biochemical control has always been the primary goal of acromegaly therapy, recent evidence has shown that the traditional assessment does not adequately capture the complexity of symptoms and patients' perception. These findings result in the need to improve a fast decision-making process of the clinician, who should not only take into account biochemical-instrumental criteria, but also patients' symptoms. With the aim of supporting the clinician in the diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making process several disease-specific tools have been developed. The aim of this review is to provide a description of the acromegaly-specific tools, presenting their main features, their application in daily practice, and their efficacy and utility.

METHODS

A systematic search of Medline/PubMed, ISI-Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar databases was done.

RESULTS

Specific instruments and questionnaires have recently been developed to assist clinicians in the assessment of acromegaly. These are either Patient-Reported Outcome tools, such as Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (AcroQoL) and Pain Assessment Acromegaly Symptom Questionnaire (PASQ), or Clinician-Reported Outcome tools, such as ACROSCORE, SAGIT^® and Acromegaly Disease Activity Tool (ACRODAT^®). Such tools are extremely flexible and, therefore, have been widely adopted by endocrinologists and other professionals, so much so that they have also been included as recommendations in the 2018 international guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Questionnaires and tools are useful in the management of acromegaly patients. They help clinicians evaluate patients' symptoms and could assist in the evaluation of disease activity.

Do neurosteroids have impact on depression and cognitive functions in cases with acromegaly?

OBJECTIVE

Neurosteroids (NSs) are a distinct hormone group and, they are known for their contribution into the status of mood and cognitive functions. Whether they are also involved in the mood disturbances and cognition in acromegaly is not known. Herein we aimed to evaluate the relation of mood status and cognitive functions with the NS levels in cases with acromegaly.

DESIGN

A total of 33 cases with acromegaly composed the acromegaly group (AG) and, 30 age and gender-matched cases without acromegaly composed the control group (CG). The levels of Allopregnanolone (AP), pregnenolone (PRG), 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24OHC), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androsterone (ADT), GH and IGF-1 were measured in each group. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms, whereas an extensive neuropsychological assessment with several neurocognitive tests were carried out for each subject by an experienced psychologist.

RESULTS

Cases with acromegaly had lower 24OHC and DHEA levels (p = 0.002 and p = 0.007, respectively) in comparison to CG. Of the cognitive functions time to complete 1 s Series was significantly higher and, the scores on Switching Verbal Fluency Test, Boston Naming Test (BNT)-semantic and BNT-phonological, the highest learning point of Oktem Verbal Memory Processes Test (VMPT) were significantly lower in cases with acromegaly in comparison to those in controls (p = 0.004, p = 0.01, p < 0.001, p = 0.02 and p = 0.05, respectively). KAS-perseveration errors were higher in CG (p = 0.03). In AG the levels of AP were negatively correlated with the scores on Months backward Test (MBT), Animal Naming Test, Construction, BNT-spontaneous and positively correlated with BNT-incorrect answers; PRG was positively correlated with VMPT-retention scores, ADT was negatively correlated with MBT and 3 s Series scores, DHEAS was positively correlated with VMPT-the highest learning point whereas it was negatively correlated with MBT scores. Additionally, the scores on BDI were positively correlated with DHEA levels in AG.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive changes may be encountered in acromegaly and, neurosteroids may contribute to the changes in certain cognitive functions.

Quality of Life in Patients with Acromegaly - A Romanian Single Center Cross-Sectional Study

CONTEXT

Acromegaly, a severe condition characterized by excessive and unmodulated secretion of growth hormone, leads to morphologic disturbances and multisystem complications.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in patients with acromegaly compared to matched obese patients.

DESIGN

This was an observational cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 49 patients with acromegaly and 49 obese patients. AcroQoL (acromegaly QoL questionnaire) was applied to all patients and IGF-1 (type 1 insulin-like growth factor 1) was measured.

RESULTS

Patients with acromegaly had a worse QoL compared to patients with obesity (score= 77(53-86) vs. 96(90-102), p<0.001). In the group of patients with acromegaly, there was no difference in the QoL regarding the activity of the disease (active, controlled, or cured). Men had a higher AcroQoL score than women (score= 88(55-95) vs. 74(52.75-82), p=0.02), but there was no difference between patients with microadenomas and the ones with macroadenomas (score= 82(66-88.5) vs. 73(55-83), p=0.136). The most frequent complications were cardiovascular complications (81.63%), articular complications (73.46%), dyslipidemia (65.30%) and digestive complications (63.26%).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite complex treatment and hormonal control, the presence of complications reduces the quality of life in patients with acromegaly, even when compared with obese patients.

Differences in quality of life between genders in acromegaly

Objective

To study the impact of secondary mental disorders in patients affected with acromegaly and correlate them with quality of life (QoL) and disease status.

Design

An observational transversal descriptive and comparative study that evaluates QoL's impact due to secondary mental disorders in affected Mexicans with acromegaly using AcroQoL and SF‐36 instruments. Correlation of the results with the disease's biochemical status was performed. According to Beck's scales, anxiety and depression analyses evaluate QoL's impact, and its gender variability is described.

Results

Eighty‐five patients with diagnoses of acromegaly were included. The mean age was 43.18 years, 47 being women (55.29%). The mean age at diagnosis was 37.95 years, with no difference between men and women. AcroQoL and SF‐36 global and sub‐domain scores differed significantly between men and women, the latter having lower global and individual sub‐domain scores. The mean score of QoL, according to AcroQoL, is 59.40. In women, the mean values are less (55.13) than men (64.68), p = 0.021. The sub‐domain analyses’ scores in physical, appearance and social relationships were less in women (53.21; 47.34; 62.32) than men (62.68; 56.76; 73.87) p = 0.044, 0.069 and 0.013, respectively. Higher Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores correlated with lower QoL as assessed by global and individual sub‐domain scores. Women presented significantly higher BDI and BAI mean scores when compared to men regardless of their biochemical status. Anxiety (p = 0.027) and depression (p < 0.001) severity were higher in women compared to men.

Conclusion

Correlations between female gender, depression/anxiety scores and QoL require further validation. There is much to be routinely done to improve secondary psychopathology in patients affected by this disease. The need for mental status screening at diagnosis should be emphasized to identify secondary mental illnesses to improve QoL with its treatment.

Emerging drugs for the treatment of acromegaly

INTRODUCTION

Acromegaly is a disease characterized by elevated growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels. Surgery is the only curative treatment, while medical therapies are administered life-long. To date, almost 30% of patients treated with the currently available medical therapies do not achieve biochemical control.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on new drugs in development for acromegaly. In detail, we provide an overview of the new molecules designed to improve disease control rate (such as novel somotostatin receptor ligands and antisense oligonucleotides), as well as the new formulations of existing medications aiming to improve patients' compliance (e.g. oral or long-acting subcutaneous octreotide).

EXPERT OPINION

The constant progresses in the medical treatment of acromegaly could lead to an individualized therapy based on tumor, as well as patient's characteristics. Besides disease control, patient's need represents a major target of medical treatment in chronic diseases such as acromegaly, in order to improve compliance to therapy and patients' quality of life.

Physical exercise improves functional capacity and quality of life in patients with acromegaly: a 12-week follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

Although the focus of acromegaly treatment is the hormonal control of the disease, a new perspective must be given to the functional rehabilitation of these patients, especially when considering the recent increase in survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of therapist-oriented home rehabilitation (TOHR) on patients with acromegaly.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventeen adults with acromegaly followed an exercise programme from a booklet with instructions for each exercise prescribed, for 2 months, and were reassessed after 1 month of washout. At each of the 3 timepoints (before and after the intervention and at the 1-month follow-up), the participants were subjected to the following assessments: body composition through bioimpedance, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the Acromegaly Quality of Life (AcroQoL) questionnaire, general fatigue through the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale, handgrip strength, lower extremity functionality using isometric dynamometry and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), body balance through stabilometry, and functional capacity through 6-minute walking distance (6MWD).

RESULTS

After performing TOHR, improvements in general fatigue, quadriceps muscle strength, LEFS, 6MWD, balance control and all AcroQoL dimensions were observed (all P < 0.05). After 1 month of washout, however, these gains were lost for all parameters, except the LEFS and balance control.

CONCLUSIONS

In acromegaly, TOHR results in improvements in muscle function, functional capacity, general fatigue, body balance, and HRQoL. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to replicate these benefits and to recommend rehabilitation, especially for those with long-term illness.

Patients' perspectives on acromegaly diagnostic delay: a qualitative study

Context Acromegaly has a substantial diagnostic delay associated with an increased risk of comorbidities and psychosocial deterioration. Qualitative methods which focus on the ways that individuals understand and relate to what they are experiencing are the best methods for exploring patients' perspectives. To the best of our knowledge, they have not been developed in the context of acromegaly. Objectives This study aimed to explore the experience of the diagnostic pathway of patients with acromegaly. Design We conducted a qualitative study, based on 20 face-to-face unstructured interviews in a third referral Endocrinology center. Participants, purposively selected until data saturation, were patients with acromegaly with diverse disease durations, types of treatment or associated comorbidities. The data were examined by thematic analysis. Results Our analysis found four themes: (i) what happened for patients before the diagnosis; (ii) what happened after; (iii) the style or type of doctor involved and (iv) patients' suggestions for limiting diagnostic delay. Our findings underlined the direct associations between diagnostic delay and the doctor-patient encounter, and the truly catastrophic experience of this disease, both before and after the diagnosis. Conclusions Diagnosis of acromegaly requires active medical involvement and awareness. Intervention of patient-experts in medical schools may help to be more aware of this disease. Endocrinologists caring for patients with acromegaly should also address the catastrophic dimension of the patient's experience and initiate the narrative to help them to put it into words for preventing harmful consequences such as social isolation and QoL impairment, but also anxiety or depression.