Articular manifestations in acromegaly: diagnostic and therapeutic implications of the coexistence of acromegalic arthropathy and rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The presence of arthropathy in patients with acromegaly may suggest recurrence of acromegaly or the existence of an inflammatory joint disease such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Few publications have evaluated the coexistence of RA and acromegaly.Two cases were presented with a coexistence of RA and acromegalic arthopathy, which enabled us to evaluate the key factors in differential diagnoses and the implications for treatment. Diagnosis of RA in patients with acromegaly requires a high level of clinical suspicion, and should therefore be considered in cases where adequate symptom control is not achieved. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of RA can increase joint damage and possibly worsen a patient's functional prognosis.