Multicentre, open-label, randomised, parallel-group, superiority study to compare the efficacy of octreotide therapy 40 mg monthly versus standard of care in patients with refractory anaemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding from small bowel angiodysplasias: a protocol of the OCEAN trial

Standard of Care Versus Octreotide in Angiodysplasia-Related Bleeding (the OCEAN Study): A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasias are vascular anomalies that may result in transfusion-dependent anemia despite endoscopic therapy. An individual patient data meta-analysis of cohort studies suggests that octreotide decreases rebleeding rates, but component studies possessed a high risk of bias. We investigated the efficacy of octreotide in reducing the transfusion requirements of patients with angiodysplasia-related anemia in a clinical trial setting.

METHODS

The study was designed as a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Patients with angiodysplasia bleeding were required to have had at least 4 red blood cell (RBC) units or parental iron infusions, or both, in the year preceding randomization. Patients were allocated (1:1) to 40-mg octreotide long-acting release intramuscular every 28 days or standard of care, including endoscopic therapy. The treatment duration was 1 year. The primary outcome was the mean difference in the number of transfusion units (RBC + parental iron) between the octreotide and standard of care groups. Patients who received at least 1 octreotide injection or followed standard of care for at least 1 month were included in the intention-to-treat analyses. Analyses of covariance were used to adjust for baseline transfusion requirements and incomplete follow-up.

RESULTS

We enrolled 62 patients (mean age, 72 years; 32 men) from 17 Dutch hospitals in the octreotide (n = 31) and standard of care (n = 31) groups. Patients required a mean number of 20.3 (standard deviation, 15.6) transfusion units and 2.4 (standard deviation, 2.0) endoscopic procedures in the year before enrollment. The total number of transfusions was lower with octreotide (11.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.5-16.5) compared with standard of care (21.2; 95% CI, 15.7-26.7). Octreotide reduced the mean number of transfusion units by 10.2 (95% CI, 2.4-18.1; P = .012). Octreotide reduced the annual volume of endoscopic procedures by 0.9 (95% CI, 0.3-1.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Octreotide effectively reduces transfusion requirements and the need for endoscopic therapy in patients with angiodysplasia-related anemia.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov, NCT02384122.

New Trends and Advances in Non-Variceal Gastrointestinal Bleeding-Series II

The gastrointestinal tract is a long tubular structure wherein any point in the mucosa along its entire length could be the source of a hemorrhage. Upper (esophagel and gastroduodenal) and lower (jejunum, ileum, and colon) gastrointestinal bleeding are common. Gastroduodenal and colonic bleeding are more frequent than bleeding from the small bowel, but nowadays the entire gastrointestinal tract can be explored endoscopically and bleeding lesions can be locally treated successfully to stop or prevent further bleeding. The extensive use of antiplatelet and anticoagulants drugs in cardiovascular patients is, at least in part, the cause of the increasing number of patients suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients with these conditions are usually older and more fragile because of their comorbidities. The correct management of antithrombotic drugs in cases of gastrointestinal bleeding is essential for a successful outcome for patients. The influence of the microbiome in the pathogenesis of small bowel bleeding is an example of the new data that are emerging as potential therapeutic target for bleeding prevention. This text summarizes the latest research and advances in all forms of acute gastrointestinal bleeding (i.e., upper, small bowel and lower). Diagnosis is approached, and medical, endoscopic or antithrombotic management are discussed in the text in an accessible and comprehensible way.

Iron Deficiency and the Small bowel​

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and suspected small bowel bleeding (SSBB) from initial consultation through laboratory evaluation, endoscopic evaluation, and therapeutic options.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent guidelines on management of SSBB, IDA, video capsule endoscopy (VCE), and device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of VCE, DAE, and imaging are discussed. Medical treatment for refractory small bowel bleeding is discussed. Evaluation of IDA starts with a detailed history and physical exam. Additional lab work can establish the diagnosis of IDA and evaluate for associated conditions. If initial endoscopic tests are unrevealing, SSBB should be ruled out. Further investigation can be performed using video capsule endoscopy (VCE), device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE), and imaging. The mainstay of medical treatment of IDA secondary to SSBB is iron supplementation. Additional treatment is tailored to the pathology and may include medical, endoscopic and surgical options.

Long-term results with lanreotide in patients with recurrent gastrointestinal angiodysplasias bleeding or obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Benefits in efficacy and procedures consumption

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasias (GIAD) bleeding and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) are increasing health problems. Somatostatin analogues have been proposed as rescue therapy, but data for lanreotide are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy, safety and resource saving of long-acting lanreotide for GIAD and OGIB.

METHODS

Retrospective study including adults with GIAD bleeding or OGIB and lanreotide treatment for at least 6 consecutive months. Demographics, comorbidities and treatments were collected. Anaemia and health resource consumption were analysed and compared between the year before and three years after starting lanreotide. Complete response was defined as a lack of new blood transfusion or endovenous iron dose need.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (mean age 76.8 years) were included, 63% taking anticoagulants/antiplatelets. The bleeding was attributable to angiodysplasia in 85.2%, of whom half had multi-site lesions. Lanreotide was administered for a median of 27.1 months. During follow-up of up to 3 years (mean 32.5 months), 18.5% of patients achieved complete response and around 60% a 50% reduction of health resource consumption. Haemoglobin values improved (p = .007), while admission time, blood/iron infusions, and the number of endoscopies decreased significantly (p<.05) at least up to the second year. There were no relevant side effects during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Long-term treatment with lanreotide significantly improves anaemia and decreases health resource consumption in patients with recurrent GIAD bleeding or OGIB.

An overview of angiodysplasia: management and patient prospects

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasias (GIADs) have a wide variety of presentations, which can be significant and debilitating in a subset of patients. Endoscopic ablation is currently the most effective treatment for GIADs, however re-bleeding rates are high. Several medical have been used for GIADs and reported in the literature, however these medications have significant side effect profiles and randomized controlled trials are lacking. A relatively poor understanding of the pathophysiology of GIAD formation has limited the development of more effective treatments and improved diagnostic and prognostic markers for GIAD. However, recent advances in research in the area of angiogenesis have identified a potential role for certain angiogenic factors including Angiopoeitin 1 and 2, in the pathophysiology of GIAD. Areas covered: We performed an extensive pubmed search of all articles mentioning GIAD and summarized our findings focussing on patient management and prospects. We summarize the available literature regarding the medical, endoscopic, and radiological management of GIAD and the value of clinical prognostic factors. Expert commentary: Although the area of angiogenesis is a novel area of research in GIAD, it represents an exciting avenue for development with the potential to improve diagnostic and prognostic tools to improve patient outcome.

Aortic stenosis and anemia with an update on approaches to managing angiodysplasia in 2018

Angiodyplasia and aortic stenosis are both conditions that are highly prevalent in elderly people and can often co-exist. Recent studies suggest that this association is related to subtle alterations in plasma coagulation factors. The von Willebrand factor is the strongest link between aortic stenosis and bleeding associated with gastrointestinal angiodysplasia. With an ageing population, the disease burden of aortic stenosis and its association with angiodysplasia of the bowel makes this an incredibly underdiagnosed yet important condition. Clinicians should be aware of this association when dealing with elderly patients presenting either with unexplained anemia, gastrointestinal bleeding or with aortic stenosis. A high index of suspicion and appropriate diagnostic techniques followed by appropriate and prompt treatment could be life-saving. No clear guidelines exist on management but surgical aortic valve replacement is thought to offer the best hope for long-term resolution of bleeding. With a growing number of technological armamentarium in the management of such patients, especially with the advent of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, new options can be offered even to elderly patients with comorbidities for whom conventional surgery would have been impossible.