Background: Active acromegaly is characterized by Growth Hormone (GH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-1 excess. Voice disturbances are common in active acromegaly and are suggested to be caused by effects of GH or IGF-1 on vocal cords and the surrounding soft tissues. Prospective studies on the course of voice characteristics in acromegaly patients are scarce and results are conflicting. This study investigates objective changes in voice parameters, self-reported perception of voice and laryngoscopic features during the first 2.5 years of acromegaly treatment.

Material and methods: In this prospective study, acoustic voice analysis (AVA) and videolaryngostroboscopic examination (VLS) were performed in twenty-seven consecutive treatment-naive acromegaly patients at diagnosis (T₀), after one year (T₁) and after 2.5 years (T₂) of treatment. The voice handicap index (VHI-30) questionnaire was taken.

Results: During acromegaly treatment, VHI scores decreased and mucosal edema & hypertrophy diminished. No significant changes in objective voice parameters were detected. The within subject change in serum IGF-1 levels (97.3 (40.6-208) to 22.4 (10.2-34.1) nmol/l (P<0.001)) during follow-up positively correlated with the changes in VHI questionnaire scores (R 0.32-0.45; P=0.002-0.03).

Conclusion: At diagnosis and during acromegaly treatment, mean VHI scores were in the normal range, although they decreased during follow-up. Mucosal edema and hypertrophy largely resolved during treatment. Only mild changes objective voice parameters were observed. Voice characteristics are in the normal range in patients with acromegaly, but may change during treatment. Voice complaints are  important to discuss since they may influence quality of life.