The nadir growth hormone after an octreotide test dose predicts the long-term efficacy of somatostatin analogue therapy in acromegaly

• Published in: Clinical endocrinology (Oxford) 2005-06, Vol.62 (6), p.742-747
• Main Authors: Gilbert, J. A., Miell, J. P., Chambers, S. M., McGregor, A. M., Aylwin, S. J. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acromegaly - blood; Acromegaly - diagnosis; Acromegaly - drug therapy; Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Endocrinopathies; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth Hormone - blood; Humans; Hypothalamus. Hypophysis. Epiphysis (diseases); Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - analysis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases. Target tissue resistance. Benign neoplasms; Octreotide - therapeutic use; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Treatment Outcome; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0300-0664; 1365-2265
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2005.02278.x

Summary Objective  In the treatment of acromegaly, a ‘test dose’ of octreotide is recommended prior to the use of depot somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy. However, there remains no consensus regarding the criteria that predict a response to treatment. The ability to select patients who may benefit most from medical therapy is potentially of great value in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to determine the predictive value of both the nadir GH and the mean GH following an octreotide test dose in identifying patients who subsequently achieved disease remission with depot SSA therapy. Remission was defined as a mean GH