Short Bowel Patients Treated for Two Years with Glucagon-Like Peptide 2 (GLP-2) : Compliance, Safety, and Effects on Quality of Life

• Published in: Gastroenterology research and practice 2009-01, Vol.2009 (2009), p.1-9
• Main Authors: Jeppesen, P. B., Lund, P., Gottschalck, I. B., Nielsen, H. B., Holst, Jens Juul, Mortensen, J., Poulsen, Steen Seier, Quistorff, B., Mortensen, P. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical Study; Dosage and administration; Drug therapy; Glucagon; Health aspects; Malabsorption syndromes; Management; Patient compliance; Patient outcomes; Quality of life
• ISSN: 1687-6121; 1687-630X
• DOI: 10.1155/2009/425759

Background and aims. Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) has been shown to improve intestinal absorption in short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients in a short-term study. This study describes safety, compliance, and changes in quality of life in 11 SBS patients at baseline, week 13, 26, and 52 during two years of subcutaneous GLP-2 treatment, 400 microgram TID, intermitted by an 8-week washout period. Methods. Safety and compliance was evaluated during the admissions. The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Short Form 36 (SF 36), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) evaluated quality of life. Results. The predominant adverse event was transient abdominal discomfort in 5 of 11 patients, but in 2, both suffering from Crohns disease, it progressed to abdominal pain and led to discontinuation of GLP-2 treatment. One had a fibrostenotic lesion electively resected at the jejuno-ascendo-anastomosis. The investigator excluded a patient due to unreliable feedback. Stoma nipple enlargement was seen in all 9 jejunostomy patients. Reported GLP-2 compliance was excellent (>93%). GLP-2 improved the overall quality of life VAS-score (4.1±2.8 cm versus 6.0±2.4 cm, P