Brief Article
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 7, 2012; 18(13): 1502-1507
Published online Apr 7, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i13.1502
Diagnostic yield of small bowel capsule endoscopy depends on the small bowel transit time
Jessie Westerhof, Jan J Koornstra, Reinier A Hoedemaker, Wim J Sluiter, Jan H Kleibeuker, Rinse K Weersma
Jessie Westerhof, Jan J Koornstra, Reinier A Hoedemaker, Wim J Sluiter, Jan H Kleibeuker, Rinse K Weersma, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
Author contributions: Koornstra JJ and Weersma RK designed the study, Westerhof J and Hoedemaker RA performed the data analysis, Westerhof J wrote the paper, Sluiter WJ did the statistical analysis, all authors contributed to the interpretation of data, critical revision of the article and final approval.
Supported by A clinical fellow grant (90700281) from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO)
Correspondence to: Dr. Rinse K Weersma, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. r.k.weersma@mdl.umcg.nl
Telephone: +31-50-3613354 Fax: +31-50-3619306
Received: April 19, 2011
Revised: July 13, 2011
Accepted: February 27, 2012
Published online: April 7, 2012
Abstract

AIM: To investigate whether the small bowel transit time (SBTT) influences the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy (CE).

METHODS: Six hundred and ninety-one consecutive CE procedures collected in a database were analyzed. SBTT and CE findings were recorded. A running mean for the SBTT was calculated and correlated to the diagnostic yield with a Spearman’s correlation test. Subgroup analyses were performed for the various indications for the procedure.

RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the diagnostic yield and SBTT (Spearman’s rho 0.58, P < 0.01). Positive correlations between diagnostic yield and SBTT were found for the indication obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (r = 0.54, P < 0.01), for polyposis and carcinoid combined (r = 0.56, P < 0.01) and for the other indications (r = 0.90, P <0.01), but not for suspected Crohn’s disease (r = -0.40).

CONCLUSION: The diagnostic yield in small bowel capsule endoscopy is positively correlated with the small bowel transit time. This is true for all indications except for suspected Crohn’s disease.

Keywords: Capsule endoscopy; Small bowel transit time; Diagnostic yield