Clinical utility of capsule endoscopy in patients with Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel disease unclassified.

BACKGROUND

Although small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has developed an established role in Crohn's disease (CD), there is paucity of data on impact of SBCE on subsequent management. We investigated the clinical utility of SBCE in patients with suspected and established CD and inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBDU).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients referred routinely from 2003 to 2009 with a diagnosis of IBDU, suspected or established CD were identified retrospectively. Data were collected for indications and findings at SBCE with subsequent follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 315 patients were identified. There were n=265 referred for suspected CD (of which n=37 had a prior diagnosis of IBDU) and n=50 with established CD. SBCE was suggestive of CD in 17% of the suspected CD group, 43% in the IBDU group and 66% in the established CD patients. In the suspected CD cohort, an eventual diagnosis of CD was made in 12% (n=31) after a mean follow-up of 15 months (range 1-84), resulting in a change of management in 90% (n=28/31). In patients with IBDU, the diagnosis of CD was made in 38% (n=14) after an average follow-up of 19 months (±2). In patients with established CD, management was altered in 73% of patients after SBCE.

CONCLUSION

There was a low diagnostic yield in patients referred with suspected CD although a diagnosis at SBCE was predictive of a clinical diagnosis in the majority after a mean follow-up of 15 months. A diagnosis of CD was more likely in the IBDU and established CD cohort. SBCE diagnoses changed management in the majority of patients.