CME Clinical Update
Pharmacologic Treatment of Acromegaly.
Author: Shlomo Melmed, MD
Medical Writer: Mary Beth Nierengarten, MA
Release Date: April 27, 2005
Valid for credit through April 27, 2006
Pharmacologic Treatment of Acromegaly.
Author: Shlomo Melmed, MD
Medical Writer: Mary Beth Nierengarten, MA
Release Date: April 27, 2005
Valid for credit through April 27, 2006
Ingrid E Bonapart1, Ron van Domburg2, Saskia M T H ten Have1, Wouter W de Herder1, Ruud A M Erdman3, Joop A M J L Janssen1 and Aart Jan van der Lely1
1 Departments of Endocrinology,
2 Biostatistics and
3 Psychology
Erasmus Medical Centre
University Hospital of Rotterdam
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Effects of Growth Hormone Administration on Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Men and Women with Cured Acromegaly
This 12-month research study will evaluate the relationship between growth hormone (GH) levels and heart disease in subjects cured of acromegaly. GH is a hormone that the pituitary gland normally produces, and GH deficiency is associated with an increased risk for heart disease. This study investigates whether physiologic GH replacement therapy will reduce cardiovascular risk in men and women ages 18 to 75 with GH deficiency following cure of acromegaly. Eligible subjects may undergo 8 to 10 outpatient hospital visits which will include measurements of metabolism, body fat and muscle, as well blood tests reflecting the health of blood vessels. Subjects will be remunerated up to $300 for their participation.
We will also enroll subjects who have active acromegaly, or who are cured from acromegaly with a GH deficiency, but have a contraindication to receiving GH for a cross-sectional study involving body composition and cardiovascular risk marker measurements.
For more information, please contact Lindsay Gunnell at (617) 724-1579 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the MGH Neuroendocrine Clinical Center / Pituitary Tumor Center website at: http://pituitary.mgh.harvard.edu/
The Antitumoral Effects of Somatostatin Analog Therapy in Acromegaly
John S. Bevan
Department of Endocrinology
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, Scotland, United Kingdom
An important reminder in octreotide use: "At Mass General's acromegaly seminar (30 June 2008), the nurses stressed the importance of continuous "swirling" of the octreotide itself during mixing, in fact, up to the moment of injection. The reason cited was that the more thorough the mixing, the more beneficial the effects from the injection. That information may be in the printed instructions but I think periodic reminders won't hurt."