Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The main indications for the somatostatin analogues (SST-A) are acromegalies and/or neuroendocrine tumors. They can increase fecal fats, which could lead to the loss of fat soluble vitamins. There are few published studies showing the effects of the long-term use.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients with SST-A indicated from our endocrinology department in the last 10 years. We analysed indications and different epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data, at baseline and after treatment with SST-A. Results expressed as: percentages (qualitative variables), average and S.D. (quantitative variables), with a significance level of P<0.05.

Results: 39 patients (66.6% women and 33.3% men) of 57.5 (13.68) years. Indications: acromegaly 71.8%, gastroenteropancreatic NETs 15.4% (four MEN1, one VHL, and one sporadic), gigantism 5.1%, advanced medullary thyroid cancer 2.6%, Graves’ ophthalmopathy 2.5% and thoracic neurofibroma in NFI 2.6%. 69.2% was treated with octreotide LAR average dose of 44.73 (32.27) mg/28 days and 25.6%, with lanreotide Autogel 46.5 (35.88) mg/28 days or both 5.1%. Durability of 57.12 (13.68) months. 7.6% were cured, 79′58% controlled the disease, 12.82% had persistent disease (two acromegalies and three NETs progressed). Side effects: gastrointestinal 17.9%, biliary 20.5% (7.69% asymptomatic cholelithiasis, 2.6% symptomatic cholelithiasis, and 10.3% cholecystectomy), and 2.6% post-injection reactions. Analytical changes after treatment: HbA1c 6.3% (3.20) vs 6.5% (3.02), P 0.008; AST 18.02 (6.97) vs 24.87 (25.78), P 0.008; GGT 31.89 (44.09) vs 76.52 (160.75), P 0.075, and FA 98 (68.92) vs 149.34 (202.74), P 0.06. There were no significant differences in other analytical or vitamin parameters. 12.6% of patients discontinued treatment for: healing 7.6%, intolerance 2.5%, and ineffectiveness 2.5%.

Conclusions: SST-A are effective and well tolerated drugs. We found no evidence of malabsorption due to its use. Most frequent adverse effects were digestive, hepatobiliary and glycemic alterations, as described in the literature.