Capsule endoscopy versus standard tests in influencing management of obscure digestive bleeding: results from a German multicenter trial.
BACKGROUND
Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a new modality for obscure digestive bleeding (OBD), but little is known about its influence on management and outcome.


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%.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Neu
Bruno
B
Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Ell
Christian
C
May
Andrea
A
Schmid
Elke
E
Riemann
Jürgen-Ferdinand
JF
Hagenmüller
Friedrich
F
Keuchel
Martin
M
Soehendra
Nib
N
Seitz
Uwe
U
Meining
Alexander
A
Rösch
Thomas
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020776:Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014741:Video Recording