Terlipressin and somatostatin appear equally effective in the treatment of bleeding oesophageal varices
Date First Published:
March 1, 2000
Last Updated:
May 19, 2005
Report by:
Russell Boyd, Consultant (Manchester Royal Infirmary)
Search checked by:
John Butler, Manchester Royal Infirmary
Three-Part Question:
In [adults with known varices] is [terlipressin or somatostatin] more effective at [reducing acute bleeding]?
Clinical Scenario:
A 55 year old male presents with massive haematemesis. He has known oesophageal varices. He is tachycardic, peripherally shut down and continues to actively vomit fresh blood. You wonder if pharmacological treatment with terlipressin or somatostatin will be effective in reducing the bleeding.
Search Strategy:
Medline OVID 1966-2005 February Week 1
Embase OVID 1980-2004 Week 7
Embase OVID 1980-2004 Week 7
Search Details:
[(exp Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/ OR exp "Esophageal and Gastric Varices"/ or oesophageal varices.mp.)] AND [(exp SOMATOSTATIN/ AND terlipressin.mp. OR glypressin.mp. OR terlypressin.mp.)] LIMIT to humans and Eng Lang.
Outcome:
170 papers were identified of which 4 were relevant.
Relevant Paper(s):
| Study Title | Patient Group | Study type (level of evidence) | Outcomes | Key results | Study Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terlipressin vs. somatostatin in bleeding esophageal varices: a controlled, double-blind study. Walker S, Kreichgauer HP, Bode JC. 1992 Germany | 50 episodes of endoscopically proven bleeding oesophageal varices in 33 patients | Double blinded randomised controlled trial | Cessation of active bleeding for 24 hours within 24 hours of randomisation | 22/25 (80%) patients with terlipressin ceased bleeding whilst 19/25 (76%) of the somatostatin group ceased bleeding | Numbers too small to firmly exclude type 2 error No power study |
| Octreotide versus terlypressin in acute variceal hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis. Emergency control and prevention of early rebleeding. Pedretti G, Elia G, Calzetti C, et al. 1994 Italy | 60 patients, previously diagnosed with hepatic cirrhosis, with current endoscopically proven variceal bleeds | Unblinded randomised controlled trial | Cessation of acute bleed and occurrence of rebleeding inside 24 hours | No statistical difference in cessation of bleeding; Octreotide 76.6% (23/30) vs Terlipressin 53% (16/30) | Not blinded |
| Terlipressin (glypressin) versus somatostatin in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices--final report of a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Walker S, Kreichgauer HP, Bode JC. 1996 Germany | 106 patient episodes of bleeding from endoscopically proven bleeding varices episodes in 72 patients | Double-blinded placebo controlled clinical trial | Cessation of bleeding for a 24 hour period within 24 hours of trial recruitment | 91% (48/53) of terlipressin treated episodes ceased bleeding with 81% (43/53) of the somatostatin treated episodes ceasing. Statistical significance not reached | The inclusion of patients with multiple episodes who had variable numbers of sclerotherapy sessions may have introduced some bias |
| Double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing terlipressin and somatostatin for acute variceal hemorrhage. Feu F, Ruiz del Arbol L, Banares R, et al. 1996 Spain | 161 patients with endoscopically proven acute oesophageal variceal bleeding | Double blind randomised controlled trial | Cessation of bleeding for a 24 hour period inside 36 hours of randomisation | Cessation of bleeding in 64/80 (80%) of patients treated with terlipressin and 68/81 (84%) of patients treated with somatostatin. Statistical significance not reached |
Author Commentary:
4 randomised controlled studies exist in this area. No significant difference in rates of cessation of bleeding was found between patients treated with either terlipressin or somatostatin.
Bottom Line:
There appears to be no significant difference between terlipressin and somatostatin in their ability to control bleeding. The logistical advantage of 4 hourly bolus administration for terlipressin over the need for continuous infusions of somatostatin and the lower cost of terlipressin will be relevant when choosing between them.
Level of Evidence:
Level 2: Studies considered were neither 1 or 3
References:
- Walker S, Kreichgauer HP, Bode JC.. Terlipressin vs. somatostatin in bleeding esophageal varices: a controlled, double-blind study.
- Pedretti G, Elia G, Calzetti C, et al.. Octreotide versus terlypressin in acute variceal hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis. Emergency control and prevention of early rebleeding.
- Walker S, Kreichgauer HP, Bode JC.. Terlipressin (glypressin) versus somatostatin in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices--final report of a placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
- Feu F, Ruiz del Arbol L, Banares R, et al.. Double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing terlipressin and somatostatin for acute variceal hemorrhage.