title: Long-acting somatostatin analogues decrease blood transfusion requirements in patients with refractory gastrointestinal bleeding associated with angiodysplasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrointestinal angiodysplasias (GIADs) may be the cause of recurrent bleeding, despite endoscopic treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of long-acting somatostatin analogues on blood transfusion requirements, in patients with refractory bleeding due to GIADs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients with recurrent bleeding from GIADs were enrolled. They received somatostatin analogue treatment for at least 6 months. The efficacy was evaluated in terms of blood transfusions, frequency of bleeding episodes and haemoglobin level during 6 months of treatment (Period During) compared to a 6-months' period before treatment (Period Before).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients were enrolled from 2007 to 2010. The median duration of somatostatin analogue treatment was 12 months (range: 6-36). The number of transfusions significantly decreased in Period During compared with Period Before [median number: 2 (0-14) vs. 10 (6-24); P < 0.001]. The percentage of patients who experienced a bleeding event was lower during somatostatin analogues treatment (20% vs. 73%; P = 0.01). The mean haemoglobin level was significantly higher when somatostatin analogues were offered [median: 10 g/dL (9-13) vs. 7 (5-8.5); P < 0.001]. None of the patients discontinued treatment due to side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-acting somatostatin analogues treatment decreased transfusion needs in patients with refractory bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasias. Bleeding episodes were limited and haemoglobin improved during treatment. Long-acting somatostatin analogues may represent an option for the management of patients with chronic bleeding due to gastrointestinal angiodysplasias.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Avicenne Hospital, APHP, Bobigny, France.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bon
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Aparicio
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Vincent
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mavros
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Bejou
authors: J-J
authors: JJ
authors: Raynaud
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Zampeli
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Airinei
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Sautereau
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Benamouzig
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Michopoulos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016888:Angiodysplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D013004:Somatostatin