title: Evaluation of HemoQuant test and enteroclysis in estimating the sites of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.
abstract: The HemoQuant test includes the measurement of total fecal hemoglobin (Hb) or porphyrin derived from heme, and of intestinal converted fraction (ICF) which is the performed porphyrin probably by bacteria during enterocolic transit. The mean +/- SD of HemoQuant in 31 healthy subjects was 0.57 +/- 0.49 mg Hb/g stool, values above 2 mg Hb/g stool are considered to be positive. In patients with upper GI bleeding (n = 44), small bowel bleeding (n = 11) and large bowel bleeding (n = 16), the ICF ranged 0.03-23%, 0.09-20.20% and 0.35-11.0%, respectively. There was major overlap in individual ICF due to some influencing factors such as the quantity of fecal blood and the enterocolic transit. We conclude that HemoQuant is a sensitive assay for detection of fecal occult blood, but ICF is not helpful in estimating the anatomic site of bleeding. Seventy-one patients with GI bleeding of obscure origin underwent enteroclysis. The results showed 77.5% had definite lesions in the small bowel, but 22.5% still were undefined. It is suggested that enteroclysis should be performed without delay if upper and lower GI endoscopic studies are negative.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Ren-ji Hospital, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Y Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D004733:Enema; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009780:Occult Blood; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate