A prospective examination of octreotide-induced gall-bladder changes in acromegaly.
OBJECTIVE
We wished to determine the effects of octreotide acetate, a somatostatin analogue, on gall-bladder function during treatment of acromegaly.


METHODS
We used a prospective, open label trial of somatostatin analogue.


METHODS
Seventeen patients with acromegaly took part.


METHODS
Ultrasonographic evaluation of gall-bladder contents were performed pretreatment, after 1 month, and subsequently at intervals of 3-6 months.


RESULTS
Non-shadowing floating echogenic particles were observed in the gall-bladder in 12 of 17 patients after (mean +/- SEM) 2.5 +/- 0.6 months of treatment. During long-term treatment (mean 20.8 +/- 4.3, median 13, range 1-59 months), ultrasound evidence for cholelithiasis was observed in four patients after 20 +/- 4 months (range 4.2-43) months of octreotide therapy. No symptoms of biliary tract disease have been observed. Duration of acromegaly, average GH, average IGF-I, gender, age at entry, dose of analogue, and concurrent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not affect the occurrence of sludge or gallstones.


CONCLUSIONS
Formation of non-shadowing, floating echogenic particles occurs commonly during the first 6 months of treatment with octreotide acetate. Cholelithiasis is a risk of long-term treatment.
Eastman
R C
RC
Diabetes Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Arakaki
R F
RF
Shawker
T
T
Schock
R
R
Roach
P
P
Comi
R J
RJ
Gorden
P
P
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015282:Octreotide