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The glucagon‐like peptide 2 analogue teduglutide is an effective drug for the treatment of short bowel syndrome patients with intestinal failure (SBS‐IF). This intestinotrophic peptide improves intestinal capacity for fluid and nutrient absorption through induction of mucosal growth and reduction of gastrointestinal motility.
Clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of teduglutide in reducing the need for parenteral support (PS). This study describes an SBS‐IF patient population receiving teduglutide therapy in a specialized medical care setting.
A retrospective analysis was performed using data of patients experiencing nonmalignant SBS‐IF. They were treated with teduglutide in a multidisciplinary SBS‐IF program at a single university medical center between June 2016 and June 2020.
Integrating SBS‐IF patients treated with teduglutide in a proactive and tight‐meshed patient care program significantly improves the clinical outcome, leading to an increased proportion of patients reaching enteral autonomy.
Teduglutide is highly effective in treating patients with SBS‐IF. In addition to the results of previous studies that demonstrated significant reductions of the PS, this study provides evidence that the integration of this heterogeneous patient population into a multiprofessional team spearheaded by a dietitian enables enteral autonomy under teduglutide therapy in nearly all treated patients.
Enteral autonomy, as the final goal of a treat‐to‐target strategy, seems necessary, as it results not only in a decreased morbidity and mortality but also in improvement of QoL and may reduce the socioeconomic burden.
Teduglutide is a medication specifically used to treat short bowel syndrome (SBS) in patients who require parenteral support, such as intravenous nutrition or fluids.
It acts as a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog. It improves the intestinal capacity for fluid and nutrient absorption by inducing mucosal growth and reducing gastrointestinal motility.
Clinical trials show that Teduglutide significantly reduces the need for parenteral support. It helps patients achieve enteral autonomy, which decreases morbidity and mortality while improving their overall quality of life.
Teduglutide is administered via subcutaneous injection, meaning it is injected into the tissue layer between the skin and the muscle.
No. Teduglutide is a prescription medication. It should only be used under the strict guidance of a healthcare professional after discussing the potential risks and benefits.
The ultimate goal is enteral autonomy under a treat-to-target strategy, which enables patients to absorb sufficient fluids and nutrients orally or enterally, reducing or eliminating the dependence on parenteral support.
