Incidence of gall stone formation in acromegalic patients on octreotide therapy

OBJECTIVE: Octreotide, a long-acting synthetic somatostatin analog, has been widely used for ac-romegalic patients. Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects and gall stones are predominant side effects. We report incidence of gall stones in our cohort of acromegalic patients treated with octreotide therapy. DESIGN: Retrospective case observational study. SETTING: Endocrinology Unit, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Hospital, New Delhi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients of acromegaly on primary or secondary octreotide therapy. INTERVENTION: Patients were enquired regarding complaints related to the GI system and their medical records were reviewed. Ultrasound films at various intervals while on octerotide therapy were evaluated by the radiologist for presence of sludge and development of gall stones. RESULTS: Of seven patients, five developed gallstones and sludge was seen in three patients at intervals ranging from 11 to 36 months postoctreotide initiation. CONCLUSION: A high incidence of gall stone formation in the present study as compared to the West was noted, the reasons for which are not clear.