Prevalence and recurrence rate of colonic lesions in acromegalic patients

Serum biomarkers of colonic polyps in patients with acromegaly: a meta-analysis and systematic review

PURPOSE

In the past few decades, acromegaly and colonic polyps have been associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Previous studies highlighted the importance of serum biomarkers of colonic polyps in patients with acromegaly.

METHODS

We reviewed studies on serum biomarkers of colonic polyps in patients with acromegaly, published on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Chinese databases from January 1, 1966, to May 8, 2022. Meta-analysis and systematic review were conducted using Stata MP 14.0.

RESULTS

Eight articles were included in this study. The mean (standard deviation) concentrations of serum biomarkers for acromegaly with and without colorectal polyps were extracted from these studies. Meta-analysis results showed that, compared to patients without colonic polyps, the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 × upper limit of normal range (IGF-1 × ULN) and fasting insulin were significantly increased; while the levels of growth hormone (GH) were significantly decreased in patients with acromegaly and colonic polyps (IGF-1 × ULN: SMD 0.23; 95% CI 0.03-0.42, p < 0.05) (fasting insulin: SMD 0.95; 9 5% CI 0.11-1.8, p < 0.05) (GH: SMD - 0.25; 95% CI - 0.41 to - 0.08, p < 0.05). IGF-1 and FPG levels did not differ significantly (IGF-1: SMD -0.03; 95% CI - 0.22 to 0.17, p > 0.05) (FPG: SMD 0.14; 95% CI - 0.23 to 0.52, p > 0.05). The systematic review results suggest no significant differences in hemoglobin A1C, TSH, free thyroxine, FT4, T3, PRL, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, fibrinogen, clathrate antigen, serum antigen 19-9, and α-fetoprotein levels, but serum Klotho levels.

CONCLUSION

We present the first meta-analysis and systematic review of serum biomarkers in patients with acromegaly or colonic polyps. The prevalence of colonic lesion polyps, is associated with higher IGF-1 × ULN levels, higher insulin levels in acromegaly. Further research is required to confirm GH and serum soluble Klotho levels as biomarkers of colonic polyps. When IGF-1 × ULN, fasting insulin levels change in patients with acromegaly, the occurrence of colonic polyps should be monitored. Early detection may reduce the possibility of developing malignant colon neoplasms.

Increased prevalence of colorectal polyp in acromegaly patients: a case-control study

An increase in the prevalence of colorectal polyps and cancer is reported in patients with acromegaly. This trial is designed to determine whether there is an increase in the prevalence of colorectal polyps/cancer in Turkish acromegaly patients. Sixty-six patients, who were under follow-up with the diagnosis of acromegaly and underwent total colonoscopic examination, were enrolled in the study. Sixty-five age- and gender-matched patients with nonspecific complaints were selected as control. The mean age of acromegalic patients was 51.5 ± 12.8 years of whom 27 (40.9%) were females. In 20 (30.3%) of the patients with acromegaly a total of 65 colorectal polyps were detected. Forty-seven (72.3%) of the polyps were detected at the rectosigmoid region. In 8 (12.3%) of the 65 control patients a total of 17 polyps were found. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.018). At the logistic regression analysis we found that the risk for colon polyps increased 3.2-fold in the presence of acromegaly, irrespective of age and gender (OR: 3.191, 95% CI: 1.25-8.13). In conclusion, patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of acromegaly should be taken to the colonoscopic surveillance program and all polyps detected should be excised in order to protect them from colorectal cancer.