Capsule endoscopy changes patient management in routine clinical practice

Dig Dis Sci. 2007 May;52(5):1382-6. doi: 10.1007/s10620-006-9610-6. Epub 2007 Mar 15.

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and effect of capsule endoscopy on patient management in routine clinical practice. Three hundred examinations were performed (176 females; mean age, 51 years), with a median follow-up of 17 months. Indications included overt bleeding (n=55), anemia (n=104), suspected Crohn's disease (n=68), celiac disease (n=35), suspected functional symptoms (n=23), polyposis (n=5), and miscellaneous (n=10). The overall diagnostic yield was 39%, but it was notably higher in overt bleeders, 66%, compared to 46% in the anemia group (P<0.025), 32% in the suspected Crohn's group (P<0.001), and 17% in the functional group (P<0.001). As a result of capsule endoscopy, management was altered in 26% of patients. This study shows that capsule endoscopy has both a high diagnostic yield and an impact on subsequent patient management. These data further support the role of capsule endoscopy in routine clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia / diagnosis*
  • Anemia / therapy
  • Capsule Endoscopy* / adverse effects
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis*
  • Celiac Disease / therapy
  • Child
  • Crohn Disease / diagnosis*
  • Crohn Disease / therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Polyposis / diagnosis*
  • Intestinal Polyposis / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies