Implications of small-bowel transit time in the detection rate of capsule endoscopy: A multivariable multicenter study of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM To define the role of small-bowel transit time in the detection rate of significant small-bowel lesions.METHODS Small-bowel capsule endoscopy records, prospectively collected from 30 participating centers in the Lombardy Registry from October 2011 to December 2013, were included in the study if the clinical indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and the capsule reached the cecum. Based on capsule findings, we created two groups: P2(significant findings) and P0-1(normal/negligible findings). Groups were compared for age, gender, small-bowel transit time, type of instrument, modality of capsule performance(outpatients vs inpatients), bowel cleanliness, and center volume.RESULTS We retrieved and scrutinized 1,433 out of 2,295 capsule endoscopy records(62.4%) fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Patients were 67 ± 15 years old, and 815(57%) were males. In comparison with patients in the P0-1 group, those in the P2 group(n = 776, 54%) were older(P < 0.0001), had a longer small-bowel transit time(P = 0.0015), and were more frequently examined in low-volume centers(P < 0.001). Age and smallbowel transit time were correlated(P < 0.001), with age as the sole independent predictor on multivariable analysis. Findings of the P2 group were artero-venous malformations(54.5%), inflammatory(23.6%) and protruding(10.4%) lesions, and luminal blood(11.5%).CONCLUSION In this selected, prospectively collected cohort of small-bowel capsule endoscopy performed for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, a longer small-bowel transit time was associated with a higher detection rate of significant lesions, along with age and a low center volume, with age serving as an independent predictor.

Assessment of serum angiogenic factors as a diagnostic aid for small bowel angiodysplasia in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and anaemia

AIM To assess the use of serum levels of angiopoietin-1(Ang1), Ang2 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNFα) as predictive factors for small bowel angiodysplasia(SBA).METHODS Serum samples were collected from patients undergoing capsule endoscopy for any cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB) or anaemia. Based on small bowel findings patients were divided into 3 groups:(1) SBA;(2) other bleeding causes; and(3) normal, according to diagnosis. Using ELISA technique we measured serum levels of Ang1, Ang2 and TNFα and compared mean and median levels between the groups based on small bowel diagnosis. Using receiver operator curve analysis we determined whether any of the factors were predictive of SBA.RESULTS Serum samples were collected from a total of 120 patients undergoing capsule endoscopy for OGIB or anaemia: 40 with SBA, 40 with other causes of small bowel bleeding, and 40 with normal small bowel findings. Mean and median serum levels were measured and compared between groups; patients with SBA had significantly higher median serum levels of Ang2(3759 pg/mL) compared to both other groups, with no significant differences in levels of Ang1 or TNFα based on diagnosis. There were no differences in Ang2 levels between the other bleeding causes(2261 pg/mL) and normal(2620pg/mL) groups. Using Receiver Operator Curve analysis, an Ang2 level of > 2600 pg/mL was found to be predictive of SBA, with an area under the curve of 0.7. Neither Ang1 or TNFα were useful as predictive markers.CONCLUSION Elevations in serum Ang2 are specific for SBA and not driven by other causes of bleeding and anaemia. Further work will determine whether Ang2 is useful as a diagnostic or prognostic marker for SBA.