Double-balloon enteroscopy in the elderly: safety, findings, and diagnostic and therapeutic success.
BACKGROUND
Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is an important tool in the evaluation and management of small-bowel disease. Limited data are available on the safety, findings, and outcomes of DBE in elderly patients.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and efficacy of DBE in elderly patients.


METHODS
Single-center, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected database.


METHODS
Open-access, tertiary care referral center.


METHODS
A total of 176 patients undergoing DBE (216 procedures) for evaluation of small-bowel disease between August 2007 and August 2008.


METHODS
Argon plasma coagulation of bleeding small-bowel lesions.


METHODS
DBE complication rate, diagnostic/therapeutic success of DBE.


METHODS
An age cutoff of 75 years and older was used to designate patients as elderly. Data on complications, indications, findings, and diagnostic and therapeutic success of DBE were compared between age groups.


RESULTS
The mean age of patients was 66 +/- 16.4 years (range 20-95 years). DBE was performed in 185 patients, including 60 patients age 75 years and older and 110 patients younger than age 75. An overall complication rate of 0.9% was seen for DBE in this study, with no significant difference between age groups. No major complications were observed in elderly patients. Elderly patients were more likely to have angioectasias (39% vs 23%; P = .01) and were more likely to require endoscopic therapy during DBE (46.8% vs 29.2%; P = .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Single-center, retrospective study.


CONCLUSIONS
DBE is safe in elderly patients. Elderly patients are more likely to have angioectasias and to require endoscopic therapy during DBE.
Hegde
Sanjay R
SR
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Iffrig
Kevan
K
Li
Tianyu
T
Downey
Sharon
S
Heller
Stephen J
SJ
Tokar
Jeffrey L
JL
Haluszka
Oleh
O
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016888:Angiodysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult