Diagnostic yield of small bowel capsule endoscopy depends on the small bowel transit time.

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.