Octreotide for small bowel bleeds . . . and other stories
BMJ 2024; 385 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.q938 (Published 02 May 2024) Cite this as: BMJ 2024;385:q938
Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia
Angiodysplasias are sometimes a cause of intractable small bowel bleeding, particularly among older people. Recurrent episodes of occult bleeding lead to iron deficiency anaemia and a need for red blood cell transfusions. An open label trial from the Netherlands suggests that the somatostatin analogueue octreotide is beneficial. Monthly intramuscular injections of long acting octreotide reduced transfusion requirements and the need for endoscopic therapy by around half compared with controls receiving usual care (Gastroenterology doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2023.12.020).
Empathy in doctors treating chronic pain
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