Arthropathy is an invalidating complication of acromegaly, also in long-term controlled patients, and is radiographically characterized by osteophytes and preserved joint spaces. However, joint space narrowing (JSN) is observed in the minority of patients. It is unknown whether JSN is the end-stage of acromegalic arthropathy or whether this feature develops independently of acromegaly.
To gain insight into the pathophysiology of acromegalic arthropathy, and, more specifically, in the process of JSN, risk factors for radiographic JSN were studied in a cross-sectional study.
We studied hips and knees of 89 well-controlled acromegaly patients (mean age 58.3 yr, 51% female). Joints were divided into two groups based on the presence of JSN, defined as an Osteoarthritis Research Society (OARSI) score ≥ 1. Potential risk factors for JSN were assessed, and its relationship to joint complaints. Individual knees and hips were analyzed in a Generalized Estimating Equations model, adjusted for age, sex, BMI and intra-patient effect.
In controlled acromegaly, JSN was found in, respectively, 10.3% and 15.4% of the hips and knees. Increasing age and female sex were associated with more JSN; acromegaly-specific risk factors for JSN were joint-site specific. In the hip, JSN was related to more active disease: higher pre-treatment GH/IGF-1, longer and more severe GH exposure and immediate postoperative cure was less frequently achieved. In the knee, especially previous knee surgery, not acromegaly-specific characteristics, was associated with JSN. The presence of JSN was associated with more joint complaints.
JSN is an infrequent finding in patients with acromegalic arthropathy, but it is associated with more symptoms. This study indicates that, at least in the hip, early and ongoing GH/IGF-1 activity play a role in JSN development.