title: Is capsule endoscopy appropriate for elderly patients? The influence of ageing on findings and diagnostic yield: An Italian retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few data are available on the use of capsule endoscopy in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study on 1008 consecutive patients referred to our centre between December 1, 2002 and January 30, 2014 who underwent capsule endoscopy for various indications. Patients were enrolled and divided into 3 sub-groups according to their age (Group A: <50 years; Group B: 50-69 years; Group C: >70 years). The Pillcam diagnostic yield, clinically significant findings and post-treatment outcomes were compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diagnostic yield was significantly higher in Group C vs. Groups A and B (65.2% vs. 42.3% and 47.5%, respectively; p<0.05). The most common diagnosis in the elderly was angiodysplasia (42.5%). In 84.5% of elderly patients (Group C) capsule endoscopy results modified patient management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Capsule endoscopy has a high diagnostic yield and positive impact on management in patients aged >70 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, 'Columbus Hospital', Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Urgesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, 'A. Gemelli Hospital', Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cianci
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, 'A. Gemelli Hospital', Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome Italy.
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pagliari
authors.affiliation: CytoCure LLC, Beverly, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Estelle E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, 'Columbus Hospital', Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Surgical Endoscopy Unit, 'A. Gemelli Hospital', Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costamagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Surgical Endoscopy Unit, 'A. Gemelli Hospital', Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: melena.riccioni@rm.unicatt.it.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Riccioni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016888:Angiodysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Angiodysplasia; Endoscopic evaluation; Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding