Acromegaly, a condition where hands and face gradually enlarge, to be diagnosed early with AI [Hankyoreh]

A rare endocrine disorder called acromegaly causes physical changes such as enlarged fingers, jaw, and lips due to excessive growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 secretion. The condition often progresses slowly over 10 years, making it difficult for patients and families to recognize. In South Korea, patients face triple difficulties: social stigma, inadequate diagnosis and treatment, and delayed hospital visits, leading to severe complications.

Researchers in Korea and Japan are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to diagnose acromegaly early, with a focus on hand photo analysis models that have shown promising results.