A Clinical Study of Secretin in Autism and Pervasive Developmental Delay

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical effect of a single dose of secretin given to patients whose disease status lay within the autistic spectrum. Design: Open, uncontrolled trial. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four patients were registered for the study. They included 3 female adults and 2 male adolescents. There was a total of 16 dropouts. Thus there were 48 evaluable patients. Each patient received a complete vial of secretin, irrespective of current age and body weight. Any existing treatment that had already been started before the study began was allowed to continue. No new treatment was permitted for a minimum period of 8 weeks when study surveillance was completed. The parents or guardians performed clinical assessment on a weekly basis, using numerical scoring of symptoms in a questionnaire. The only laboratory study performed was a hair analysis at the outset and at the completion of the 8 weeks of surveillance. Results: Of 48 evaluable patients, there were 39 whose clinical response varied from minor to major behavioral and/or bowel function improvement and 9 in whom there was no sign at all of either a behavioral or gastrointestinal response. Only a few of these patients showed signi cant abnormalities in hair analysis and there was no signi cant difference in these changes as compared with a group of children who had been seen at our clinic for reasons other than autistic spectrum. The side effects observed were temporary irritability in a few patients and exacerbation of previously quiescent seizures in one child. Conclusions: We found a clearcut population of clinical "responders" as compared with a much smaller group of "non-responders." Little can be said about the dropout patients other than to conclude that total lack of response and expense were the most likely causes. We can certainly encourage and condone the use of secretin as a valuable weapon in attempting treatment of this devastating spectrum of disease. This study has not helped to de ne the indications to suggest a "responder" from a "non-responder."

Secretin Treatment for Autistic Disorder: A Critical Analysis

“…An 8-week clinical study of 64 patients, including 3 adult women and 2 adolescent boys, with autistic disorder or pervasive developmental delay examined the effects of a single dose of secretin. 22 Each subject received a complete vial of the drug (dose not reported) intravenously, either porcine or synthetic, regardless of age and body weight. No further treatment was administered to the subjects for the duration of the study.…”

“…They encouraged administration of secretin "as a valuable weapon in attempting treatment of this devastating spectrum of disease." 22 The efficacy of synthetic human secretin was assessed in a 12-week, double-blind, placebocontrolled study. 23 Thirty children aged 2-10 years diagnosed with autistic disorder or PDD not specified (PDDNOS) were enrolled.…”

“…On deeper analysis of studies with positive findings, we believe that discrepancies occur in interpretation of the results. In one study, 22 results for completers were included only in the final analysis, lending a positive response bias. The 12 subjects who dropped out due to nonresponse were not included.…”

Management of Constipation in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…• 15 = severe constipation (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) AS, autistic subjects; DD, developmental disabilities; dx, diagnosis; Lvl, level; NAS, non-autistic subjects; po, orally; pts, patients; sx, symptom; tx, treatment. Grade Categories: Category I 80% to 100% of ideal methodology met; Category II 60% to 79.99% of ideal methodology met; Category III 40% to 59.99% of ideal methodology met; Category IV ,39.99% of ideal methodology met.…”

“…The OVID, CINAHL, Embase, Database of Abstracts and Review, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews databases were searched for applicable materials. The 6 Control group of 5 girls and 28 boys; aged 2-15 y. Control group not used to compare GI sx.…”