Gastrointestinal angioectasia is a significant etiology of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, often requiring hospital care. Octreotide has been proposed as a therapeutic option in patients in whom endoscopic treatment is insuficiente, particularly in those with small bowel or diffuse angiectasia. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of long-acting intramuscular octreotide in the recurrency of gastrointestinal bleeding from angioectasia.

A sample of 21 patients receiving monthly octreotide, either 10 mg or 20 mg, were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical efficacy was assessed by comparing the frequency of hospitalizations, urgency department visits, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and intravenous iron infusions during the 6-month and 12-month intervals that preceded and followed the start of treatment. Additional contributing factors, including anticoagulation therapy and underlying diseases, were also examined.

The sample studied has an mean age of 78 years, with 13 males and 8 hypocoagulated patients. The Charlson Comorbidity Index averaged 5.6 points, with 5 patients having cirrhosis and 5 patients Osler-Rendu-Weber Syndrome. Hospitalizations significantly decreased after octreotide initiation at both 6 and 12 months of treatment (p < 0.001; p = 0.019). Urgent care visits and RBC transfusions were significantly lower in the first 6 months of treatment (p < 0.001 ; p = 0.007), though this effect was not sustained at 12 months. Intravenous iron requirements did not differ statistically between pre- and post-treatment periods. Patients receiving 10 mg of octreotide had significantly fewer urgent care visits and iron infusions at 6 months of treatment compared to the 20 mg group (p = 0.031; p = 0.026).

In recurrent bleeding from angioectasias, when endoscopic treatment is ineffective, a 12-mounth course of octreotide therapy significantly reduces hospitalizations. Additionally, treatment in the first 6 months proves to be effective in reducing the number of urgency department visits and red blood cell transfusions.