Martínez-Delgado IA, Gómez-Martínez G

Language: Spanish
References: 11
Page: 291-295
PDF size: 202.90 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Objective: to determine the dose and frequency of application of octreotide LAR to treat acromegaly by monitoring the levels of circulating growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).
Material and methods: twelve patients (five men and seven women) with acromegaly, whose age was on average 48.9 years (range 35-67) participated. Eight had been surgically treated, yet non cured and 4 patients were treated de novo. The study lasted between 12-18 months. The initial octreotide dose was 20 mg/4 weeks intramuscular. Before administering the fourth dose, the levels of IGF-1 and GH were measured; then, the dose was adjusted and three more injections were applied. If the levels of GH and IGF-1 continued safe, the dose and frequency of application of octreotide LAR were individualized thus applying the minimum number of injections.
Results: the interval of octreotide LAR application to maintain the levels of GH and IGF-1 within safe range was prolonged to more than four weeks in nine patients (75 %); in six patients (50 %), the interval changed to eight weeks and to twelve weeks in three patients (25 %). Three patients (25 %) continued receiving injections in four-week intervals. The levels of GH and IGF-1 were lower during the treatment period when compared with the baseline measurements (p ‹ 0.01).
Conclusion: the adjustment of the dose of octreotide LAR keeps the levels of GH within safe range and reduces in 75 % the frequency of injections to treat acromegaly.

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