Long-term Effects of Thalidomide for Recurrent Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Vascular Malformation : An Open-label, Randomized, Parallel Controlled Study

Detailed Summary

Background: Repeated episodes of bleeding from gastrointestinal vascular malformations refractory to endoscopic or surgical therapy often pose a major therapeutic challenge. Methods: The investigators performed a randomized, parallel controlled study of thalidomide as a therapy for recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding due to vascular malformation. Patients with at least six episodes of bleeding in the prior year due to vascular malformation were randomly grouped, prescribed a four-month regimen of either 25 mg of thalidomide or 100 mg of iron orally four times daily, and monitored for at least one year. The primary end point was defined as the patients whose rebleeds decreased from baseline by ≥ 50% at 12 months and the cessation of bleeding. Rebleeding was defined based on a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (monoclonal colloidal gold color technology) at any visit after treatment. Secondary outcomes included the participants dependent on blood transfusions and changes from baseline in transfused packed red cell units, bleeding episodes, bleeding durations, and hemoglobin levels at 12 months. Statistical significance was defined at P \< 0.05.

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