Psychological profiles of patients with acromegaly: personality traits, quality of life, and clinical correlates.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated temperament, character dimensions, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (qol) in patients with acromegaly, and examined their associations with clinical variables including disease activity, duration, treatment modality, and tumor characteristics.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 77 patients with acromegaly and 99 healthy controls with no difference in age and sex compared to patients completed the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (AcroQoL). Patients were subgrouped by remission status, treatment type, and histopathological findings. Between-group comparisons and correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, patients with acromegaly exhibited higher impulsiveness but lower levels of emotional warmth, persistence, and self-directedness. Higher self-acceptance scores were associated with remission, while female patients exhibited significantly lower AcroQoL-Physical scores than male patients. IGF-1 levels positively correlated with novelty seeking. Qol was negatively correlated with harm avoidance, anxiety, and depression, whereas both anxiety and depression were positively associated with harm avoidance.

CONCLUSIONS

Acromegaly is associated with distinct personality patterns that may influence coping, well-being, and treatment experiences. These findings underscore the potential value of integrating psychosocial assessment and personalized support into the management of acromegaly, and highlight the need for further studies to clarify underlying neurobiological and cultural influences.