CP-112 Effectiveness and safety of long-acting octreotide in the treatment of chronic bleeding from gastrointestinal angiodysplasia

Background Angiodysplasia (AD) is the most common vascular malformation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and causes significant morbidity. Long-acting octreotide, administered intramuscularly once per month might be useful for controlling chronic bleeding from angiodysplasia as an off-label use. Some case reports have demonstrated a significant benefit. Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of long-acting octreotide as an off-label use in patients suffering from chronic GI bleeding from AD. Material and methods A retrospective observational study of all patients treated in our hospital with long-acting octreotide for chronic GI bleeding because of AD was performed. We analysed three time periods: one year before starting long-acting octreotide (t 0 ), one year after (t 1 ) and two years after (t 2 ) starting long-acting octreotide treatment. Data, collected from the patient’s medical record, included: demographic data, treatment-related data, haemoglobin levels and number of hospitalizations as efficacy data, and side effects. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS. Results Twenty five patients were included, 85% men with a mean age of 76.1 years [58.7–91.7]. Dosage pattern used was: 10 mg (48%), 20 mg (40%) and 30 mg (12%). Mean treatment duration was 31.1 months [3.2–97.4]. The mean of haemoglobin levels was: t 0 9.14 (Standard deviation (SD): 1.12), t 1 10.37 (SD: 1.69) and t 2 10.37 (SD: 2.02). There was statistical differences in haemoglobin levels between t 1 -t 0 (p = 0.001) and between t 2 -t 0 (p = 0.05). Furthermore, hospitalizations decreased when compared at t 1 (3.61 ± 2.69) to t 0 (5.29 ± 4.26), p = 0.028; and t 2 (2.43 ± 2.44) to t 0 (5.29), p = 0.042. No major adverse events were recorded; two patients experienced cholelithiasis and another two glycaemic alteration. Conclusion Patients treated with long-acting octreotide had a significant reduction in hospitalizations and higher mean haemoglobin concentrations after treatment, with an acceptable safety profile. Besides, case reports by Bon et al . 2012, Scaglione et al . 2007 and Molina Infante et al . 2009, showed a significant reduction in transfusion requirements and iron supplementations. References and/or Acknowledgements No conflict of interest.