Effect of one year continuous subcutaneous infusion of a somatostatin analogue, octreotide, on early retinopathy, metabolic control and thyroid function in Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of Octreotide in the context of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, published as a randomized controlled trial.

Growth hormone is assumed to be involved in the development of diabetic retinopathy.

In a randomized study the researchers evaluated the possible effects of one year treatment with a somatostatin (SRIH) analogue, octreotide, on early retinopathy and on metabolism in Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

Who Took Part

The abstract describes 7 patients taking part.

PubMed indexes the participants as adults and middle-aged adults.

The subjects were evaluated at entry, after 2, 6 and 12 months treatment, and 2 months after withdrawal.

How the Study Was Run

In design terms this was a randomized study.

Because people in this Octreotide study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

What Was Measured

In a randomized study the researchers evaluated the possible effects of one year treatment with a somatostatin (SRIH) analogue, octreotide, on early retinopathy and on metabolism in Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

Topics PubMed links to this paper include Blood Glucose, Body Mass Index, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, Diabetic Retinopathy, Growth Hormone, Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized study of Octreotide in 7 patients in people with diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 1990 (Acta endocrinologica), a journal based in Denmark.

More context: the Octreotide compound page, Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma research.