Acromegaly is associated with all of the following EXCEPT:
So, the question is looking for the option that's NOT associated with acromegaly. Let's think about the typical complications. Acromegaly can lead to hypertension, diabetes mellitus due to insulin resistance, and cardiovascular issues. It also causes joint problems, like arthritis, and can affect the respiratory system, leading to sleep apnea. Additionally, there's an increased risk of certain cancers, such as colon cancer.
Now, the options aren't listed, but common distractors in such questions might include conditions like hypothyroidism or hyperparathyroidism. Wait, hypothyroidism is unrelated to GH excess. Acromegaly doesn't typically cause hypothyroidism. On the other hand, hyperparathyroidism might be a distractor, but that's due to excess parathyroid hormone, not GH. Another possible wrong option could be Cushing's syndrome, which is due to cortisol excess, not GH. So if the options included Cushing's, that would be the exception. Alternatively, maybe something like gigantism, which is when the excess GH occurs in children before the epiphyseal plates are closed. But gigantism is a form of acromegaly, just in a different age group. Wait, no, acromegaly is in adults, gigantism in children. So if one of the options is gigantism, that's actually a related condition but not an exception here. The question is asking for the exception, so the correct answer would be the one that's not typically associated. Let's say the options are A: Hypertension, B: Diabetes mellitus, C: Cushing's syndrome, D: Arthritis. Then the correct answer is C, Cushing's syndrome, because it's due to cortisol, not GH. So the explanation would need to clarify that Cushing's is a separate disorder caused by excess cortisol, while acromegaly is due to GH. The other options (hypertension, diabetes, arthritis) are all known complications of acromegaly. Therefore, the exception is Cushing's syndrome.
**Core Concept**
Acromegaly is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by excess growth hormone (GH) due to a pituitary adenoma. It leads to somatomedin-C (IGF-1) overproduction, causing skeletal and soft tissue overgrowth. Key complications include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and joint degeneration.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
**Option C: Cushing’s syndrome** is correct because it results from excess cortisol, not GH. Acromegaly does not involve hypercortisolism; its pathophysiology is entirely separate. Cushing’s syndrome features moon face, buffalo hump, and central obesity—unrelated to acromegaly’s peripheral overgrowth.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A: Hypertension** – Common in acromegaly due to vascular smooth muscle proliferation