Original Contribution
The American Journal of Gastroenterology (2005) 100, 1736–1742; doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.41649.x
Capsule Endoscopy versus Standard Tests in Influencing Management of Obscure Digestive Bleeding: Results from a German Multicenter Trial
Bruno Neu MD1, Christian Ell MD2, Andrea May MD2, Elke Schmid MD1, Jürgen-Ferdinand Riemann MD3, Friedrich Hagenmüller MD4, Martin Keuchel MD4, Nib Soehendra MD5, Uwe Seitz MD5, Alexander Meining MD1 and Thomas Rösch MD1
- 1Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany;
- 2University of Mainz/Horst Schmidt Hospitals, Wiesbaden, Germany;
- 3Municipal Hospital, Ludwigshafen, Germany;
- 4Altona Hospital, Hamburg, Germany;
- 5University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Correspondence: Thomas Rösch, MD, Department of Internal Medicine II, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaningerstr. 22, D-81675 München, Germany
Received 10 October 2004; Revised 0000; Accepted 22 February 2005.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a new modality for obscure digestive bleeding (OBD), but little is known about its influence on management and outcome.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Fifty-six patients (male/female 26/30; mean age 63 yr) with ODB, and negative upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy were included in this multicenter study. The diagnostic yield of CE was compared to three other tests (OT: push enteroscopy, enteroclysis, angiography), and patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Parameters were analyzed that led to major management changes such as surgical or endoscopic intervention or specific medical therapy, as well as their correlation to further bleeding.
RESULTS:
CE had a diagnostic yield higher than OT (68%vs 38%). Major management changes and an improvement in bleeding activity were observed in 21 and 44 patients, respectively. The number and type of positive findings on CE were associated with significant management changes (p < 0.05). The number of positive findings detected by CE as well as by OT correlated with further bleeding episodes (p < 0.05). However, clinical parameters (lowest hemoglobin (Hb) value, number of blood transfusions) were also significantly associated with outcome. Diagnoses of specific diseases (tumor, Crohn, NSAID ulcer) by CE led to a favorable outcome in 64% of cases, whereas negative CE cases were associated with no further bleeding in 80%.
CONCLUSION:
CE helps with management decisions and can replace other more complex and risky standard tests. Nevertheless, clinical parameters are equally important for predicting further bleeding and should also be used to decide on further management.
