Description

Another use is emerging for octreotide in the management of hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. Our use of octreotide in palliative medicine has previously been mainly related to the control of gastrointestinal secretions in intestinal obstruction and for improved management of faecal fistulae. There has also been some interest in the non-opioid analgesic effects of octreotide. The pathogenesis of HPOA remains uncertain. One hypothesis suggests that there are increased levels of growth hormone or sex hormones which may stimulate the changes. A case report is described of the pain of HPOA successfully treated with octreotide. (Johnson S A, Spiller P A, Faull C M – Treatment of resistant pain in hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy with subcutaneous octreotide. Thorax 1997;52;298-299; Penson R T, Rudd R M -Commentary: octreotide and hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy Thorax; 52;297-298)