Long-term outcomes and adverse effects of teduglutide in patients with short bowel syndrome: Highlighting hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia.

This article focuses on the long-term safety and efficacy of teduglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog, in treating patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) who depend on parenteral support (PS). A retrospective study at Boston Medical Center involving 13 patients treated with teduglutide from 2012 to 2022 found that 84.6% experienced reduced PS dependence, with nearly half discontinuing PS entirely. However, a high incidence (72.7%) of elevated pancreatic enzymes—hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia—was observed, which appeared dose-dependent but nonpathological, as no clinical or imaging evidence of pancreatitis was found. The study underscores the importance of regular monitoring of amylase and lipase levels during teduglutide therapy and calls for further research to clarify the clinical significance of these enzyme elevations and other potential adverse effects such as acalculous cholecystitis and incidental lung nodules.