BACKGROUND: Octreotide has shown to be effective against rebleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias, but a long-term daily parenteral administration is recommended. Long-acting octreotide (LAR-OCT) could overcome such a limitation, but it has not been studied extensively. AIM: To investigate the usefulness of long-acting octreotide in the control of chronic bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias. METHODS: Thirteen patients with chronic gastrointestinal bleeding because of angiodysplasias were enrolled. Diagnosis was made by endoscopy and wireless video capsule. Long-acting octreotide was administered intramuscularly at a dosage of 10 mg/monthly for 1 year. Patients were followed up for a minimum period of 1 year, and haemoglobin levels, blood transfusions, iron supplementation and hospitalizations were recorded 1 year before and after starting long-acting octreotide therapy. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 12 to 60 months. Nine of 13 patients (69%) did not need blood transfusions and iron supplementation any longer; a partial improvement was observed in one patient; no effect was found in the others. No side effect was recorded in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Long-acting octreotide for 1 year may be beneficial as a rescue therapy for controlling chronic bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias in patients not eligible for surgery. Its monthly administration represents an advantage, which makes such a formulation the choice when a long-term treatment is mandatory.
BACKGROUND:Octreotide has shown to be effective against rebleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias, but a long-term daily parenteral administration is recommended. Long-acting octreotide (LAR-OCT) could overcome such a limitation, but it has not been studied extensively. AIM: To investigate the usefulness of long-acting octreotide in the control of chronic bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias. METHODS: Thirteen patients with chronic gastrointestinal bleeding because of angiodysplasias were enrolled. Diagnosis was made by endoscopy and wireless video capsule. Long-acting octreotide was administered intramuscularly at a dosage of 10 mg/monthly for 1 year. Patients were followed up for a minimum period of 1 year, and haemoglobin levels, blood transfusions, iron supplementation and hospitalizations were recorded 1 year before and after starting long-acting octreotide therapy. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 12 to 60 months. Nine of 13 patients (69%) did not need blood transfusions and iron supplementation any longer; a partial improvement was observed in one patient; no effect was found in the others. No side effect was recorded in any patient. CONCLUSIONS:Long-acting octreotide for 1 year may be beneficial as a rescue therapy for controlling chronic bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias in patients not eligible for surgery. Its monthly administration represents an advantage, which makes such a formulation the choice when a long-term treatment is mandatory.
Authors: Majid Almadi; Peter M Ghali; Andre Constantin; Jacques Galipeau; Andrew Szilagyi Journal: Can J Gastroenterol Date: 2009-09 Impact factor: 3.522