Prevalence of hypersomatotropism and hyperthyroidism in cats with diabetes mellitus from referral centers in Buenos Aires (2020–2022)

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypersomatotropism (HST) and hyperthyroidism in cats with diabetes mellitus (DM) from referral centers in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods This was a prospective study. Systematic screening of serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and total thyroxine was performed in all cats diagnosed with DM at referral centers in Buenos Aires between February 2020 and February 2022. Results In total, 154 diabetic cats were evaluated (99 males and 55 females; median age 12 years [range 3–21]; mean body weight 5 kg [range 2–12]). Altogether, there were 115 (75%) domestic shorthairs and one domestic longhair; the remaining 38 cats were purebred (mainly Siamese, n = 25 [16%]). Twenty (12.9%) cats had IGF-1 concentrations >1000 ng/ml, and three (1.9%) had IGF-1 concentrations between 800 and 1000 ng/ml along with pituitary enlargement on CT, resulting in a 14.9% HST prevalence rate in diabetic cats. Intracranial imaging was performed in all cats with HST; median pituitary dorsoventral height was 5.8 mm (range 3.1–9.5). Fourteen of 23 (61%) cats had phenotypic changes consistent with acromegaly at the time of diagnosis of HST. Four of 154 (2.5%) cats had concurrent hyperthyroidism. Conclusions and relevance To date, this is the first study outside of Europe to have evaluated the prevalence of HST and hyperthyroidism in cats with DM. In Buenos Aires referral centers, feline HST is the most common concurrent endocrinopathy in cats with DM but with a lower prevalence than has previously been reported. Hyperthyroidism is a rare concurrent endocrinopathy in diabetic cats from referral centers in Buenos Aires.

Feline Comorbidities: Hypersomatotropism-induced diabetes in cats

“…Studies in Argentina, mainland Europe and the UK have reported a 15-25% prevalance of concurrent HST among feline diabetic patients. 9 , 22 , 23 Weight gain with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus occurs in roughly 17% of cats with HST, while 42% experience weight loss. 24 The clinical characteristics of 133 cats with a diagnosis of HST are presented in Table 1 .…”