Evaluating video capsule endoscopy in diabetes mellitus: transit times, preparation adequacy, and the influence of insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonist use.

BACKGROUND

Delayed gastrointestinal transit time (TT), frequently observed in diabetes mellitus (DM), may hinder bowel preparation quality and visualization in video capsule endoscopy (VCE).

OBJECTIVES

The study aim was to compare VCE preparation adequacy and completion rates between patients with and without DM.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database, including all consecutive VCEs performed in patients aged ⩾35 years.

METHODS

Patients were divided into two groups based on a DM diagnosis reported at admission and confirmed by medication records. Clinico-demographic characteristics, bowel preparation quality, TTs, and completion rates were compared between the groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for inadequate bowel preparation.

RESULTS

Out of 672 included VCEs, 189 (28.1%) patients had DM and 483 (71.9%) were controls. Completion rates were comparable (DM-98.4% vs controls-99.0%,  = 0.553). Gastric TT was similar (DM-37.5 ± 45.5 vs controls-34.3± 48.6 min,  = 0.420), while small bowel TT was longer (DM-261.8 ± 95.6 vs controls-244.9 ± 98.4 min,  = 0.040). DM patients had higher inadequate preparation rates (31.2% vs controls-23.4%,  = 0.040). In a multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender, DM was not independently associated with inadequate preparation. However, DM treated with insulin (26.5% of patients with DM) was significantly associated with inadequate bowel preparation (Odds ratio (OR) 2.355,  = 0.006). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist usage (11.8% of patients with DM patients) compared to no-DM controls achieved borderline significance as a risk factor for preparation inadequacy (OR 2.148, 95% CI 0.887-5.201,  = 0.090).

CONCLUSION

VCE appears to be feasible in patients with DM, with similar completion rates and gastric TTs despite slightly prolonged small bowel TTs. However, DM treated with insulin is a significant risk factor for inadequate bowel preparation, suggesting the need for a more intensive preparation protocol within this patient group.