Capsule endoscopy versus standard tests in influencing management of obscure digestive bleeding: results from a German multicenter trial

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a new modality for obscure digestive bleeding (OBD), but little is known about its influence on management and outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients (male/female 26/30; mean age 63 yr) with ODB, and negative upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy were included in this multicenter study. The diagnostic yield of CE was compared to three other tests (OT: push enteroscopy, enteroclysis, angiography), and patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Parameters were analyzed that led to major management changes such as surgical or endoscopic intervention or specific medical therapy, as well as their correlation to further bleeding. RESULTS: CE had a diagnostic yield higher than OT (68% vs 38%). Major management changes and an improvement in bleeding activity were observed in 21 and 44 patients, respectively. The number and type of positive findings on CE were associated with significant management changes (p < 0.05). The number of positive findings detected by CE as well as by OT correlated with further bleeding episodes (p < 0.05). However, clinical parameters (lowest hemoglobin (Hb) value, number of blood transfusions) were also significantly associated with outcome. Diagnoses of specific diseases (tumor, Crohn, NSAID ulcer) by CE led to a favorable outcome in 64% of cases, whereas negative CE cases were associated with no further bleeding in 80%. CONCLUSION: CE helps with management decisions and can replace other more complex and risky standard tests. Nevertheless, clinical parameters are equally important for predicting further bleeding and should also be used to decide on further management.     

Follow-up of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after capsule endoscopy and intraoperative enteroscopy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is highly sensitive to detect the bleeding source in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding compared with intraoperative enteroscopy (IOE). Long-term follow-up information of patients undergoing CE and IOE for investigation and treatment of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding is lacking. METHODOLOGY: 50 patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding underwent CE and IOE. Follow-up data of 47 patients (30 men, 17 women, mean age 60.9 +/- 16.8 years) were available (3 patients lost in follow-up). Clinical outcome was assessed with a standardized patient questionnaire and personal communication with referring physicians. RESULTS: Bleeding sources were detected and effective treated during intraoperative enteroscopy (argon plasma coagulation or surgical resection) in 34 patients [(angiodysplasias (n = 22), ulcers (n = 5), malignant tumors (n = 3), Meckel's diverticulum (n = 1), jejunal varices (n = 1), bleeding ileum diverticulosis (n = 1), hyperplastic polyp (n = 1)]. Mean follow-up was 346.3 days (range 253-814 days). Clinical signs of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 12 of 47 patients (25.5%) [positive fecal occult blood test (n = 2), anemia (n = 2), melena (n = 3), hematochezia (= 5)]. In 3 patients (6.4%) no further therapy was necessary, 9 patients (19.1%) needed blood transfusions (range 2-62 units), endoscopic or surgical interventions to control rebleeding. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study support the proposal that capsule endoscopy could be used as the first-choice investigation in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.     

Clinical impact of push enteroscopy in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Despite the frequent use of push enteroscopy (PE), little is known of its clinical impact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PE on diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin. METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive patients (mean age, 56 y) referred for PE were included in this 1-year prospective study. Indications for PE were overt bleeding in 46 patients (61%) and iron-deficiency anemia in 29 patients (39%). Before the procedure, the prescribing physicians were asked to fill out a questionnaire listing the theoretical patient management plan (diagnostic procedures and/or treatment) as if PE were not available. One month after PE, the same physicians were asked about: (1) diagnostic procedures performed after PE, (2) the final diagnosis, and (3) their opinion of the usefulness of PE in clinical management. The clinical impact of PE on diagnostic and/or therapeutic management was assessed by 3 study physicians. RESULTS: Responses to the 2 questionnaires were obtained for all patients. The diagnostic yield of PE was 32% (24 of 75). The clinical impact of PE (changes in diagnostic and/or therapeutic management) was 55% (n = 41). PE was perceived as helpful by the prescribing physicians in 55% of cases. PE tended to influence patient management more in cases of overt bleeding than in cases of occult bleeding (63% vs. 41%; P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: PE influenced the clinical management of more than half the patients with GI bleeding of unknown origin, and was particularly useful in patients with overt bleeding.     

Usefulness and impact on management of positive and negative capsule endoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of positive and negative capsule endoscopies (CEs), and the impact of each on short- and long-term patient management. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for 70 consecutive CE patients. Based on outcomes from referring physicians, it was determined whether CE was useful, partially useful or not useful at all in the overall patient management, and whether CE assisted in providing a diagnosis, and impacted on short-term long-term management. RESULTS: CE indications included overt bleeding (37%), occult bleeding (20%), iron deficiency (17%), abdominal pain and weight loss (13%), assessing the extent of or confirming a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (9%) and screening for familial adenomatous polyposis (4%). Positive studies were seen in 58% of overt bleeds, 50% of occult bleeds, 33% of iron deficiencies and 33% of Crohn's diseases. Overall, 28 studies (40%) were positive studies and 42 (60%) were negative studies. CE aided in diagnosis in 11 of 28 (39%) positive and 12 of 42 (29%) negative studies (P=0.35). Positive and negative CEs had an impact on short-term management in 12 of 28 (43%) versus 18 of 42 (43%) cases, respectively (P=1.0), and on long-term management in 14 of 28 (50%) versus 15 of 42 (36%) cases, respectively (P=0.23). For positive and negative studies, respectively, CE was considered useful in 12 of 28 (43%) versus 15 of 42 (36%) cases (39% overall), partially useful in 10 of 28 (36%) versus 10 of 42 (24%) cases (28% overall), and not useful at all in six of 28 (21%) versus 17 of 42 (40%) cases (33% overall). CONCLUSIONs: Although a negative CE may aid in making a definitive diagnosis in only 29% of patients, its effect on management and overall usefulness is similar to that of a positive CE. A physician's decision on whether to order CE should not be based solely on the pretest probability of a positive examination but also on the clinical utility of a negative study.     

胶囊内镜结合双气囊内镜检查在小肠疾病诊断中的作用

目的 探讨胶囊内镜结合双气囊内镜检查在小肠疾病诊断中的作用.方法 连续调查299例因不明原因消化道出血或腹痛、腹泻等原因而行胶囊内镜检查者,对胶囊内镜阴性或诊断不确定者建议双气囊内镜检查.分析胶囊内镜后双气囊内镜检查者诊断和随访资料.结果 296例完成胶囊内镜检查,发现阳性138例(46.6%),可疑阳性68例(23.0%),阴性90例(30.4%).45例胶囊内镜可疑阳性者和7例阴性者接受双气囊内镜检查,分别检出31例和1例小肠病变.双气囊内镜可能存在假阴性结果8例,未发现假阳性者;胶囊内镜可能存在假阴性结果2例,并有8例假阳性.在胶囊内镜结果提示下,90.3%(28/31)患者经单侧双气囊内镜检查即发现病灶.平均随访期为17个月,93.5%的双气囊内镜明确诊断者得到有效治疗.二种检查方法耐受性好,无严重不良反应发生.结论 胶囊内镜对小肠病变检出率高,但其诊断不确定性也较高.双气囊内镜能明确大部分胶囊内镜可疑阳性者.胶囊内镜结合双气囊内镜检查的诊断策略能提高小肠疾病诊断率、指导治疗并改善患者预后.     

Diagnostic Yield and Impact of Capsule Endoscopy on Management of Patients with Gastrointestinal Bleeding of Obscure Origin

This study assessed diagnostic yield and impact of capsule endoscopy on patient management. Seventy-five patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding were included. Clinical and followup information was collected by review of patient records and with personal contact with the referring physicians. All previous clinical information and interventions after capsule endoscopy and clinical outcome were noted. The indication was obscure-overt gastrointestinal bleeding in 36 patients (48%) and obscure-occult gastrointestinal bleeding in 39 patients (52%). Overall diagnostic yield was 66.7% considering relevant lesions. Followup was available in 31 patients. Capsule endoscopy changed clinical management in 61.4%. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with another potential source of bleeding and patients whose onset was hematochezia were not good candidates for capsule endoscopy. Capsule endoscopy has a high diagnostic yield and a positive influence on clinical management in a high proportion of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.     

Evaluation of capsule endoscopy in active, mild-to-moderate, overt, obscure GI bleeding

BACKGROUND: The role of capsule endoscopy (CE) in the diagnosis of active mild-to-moderate GI bleeding (GIB) immediately after a negative EGD and ileocolonoscopy has not been prospectively evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the diagnostic yield and clinical significance of CE in patients with acute, obscure, overt, mild-to-moderate GIB. DESIGN: A single-center prospective study. PATIENTS: During a 3-year period, 573 patients admitted to the hospital with acute mild-to-moderate GIB were included in this study. Among them, 37 patients (6.5%) with negative endoscopic findings, after urgent upper- and lower-GI endoscopies, underwent CE within the first 48 hours to identify the source of bleeding. RESULTS: CE revealed active bleeding in 34 patients and a diagnostic yield of 91.9%, including angiodysplasias in 18 patients, ulcers in 3 patients, and tumors in 2 patients. In the remaining 11 patients (32%), CE revealed the site of bleeding: distal duodenum in 1 case (9%), jejunum in 6 cases (54%), ileum in 2 cases (18%), and cecum in 2 cases (18%). From the 37 bleeders, 16 were managed conservatively, 14 endoscopically, and 7 surgically. During a 12-month follow-up period, bleeding recurrence was observed in 5 of 32 (15.6%). LIMITATIONS: This study had a limited number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: CE appeared to have a high diagnostic yield in patients with acute, mild-to-moderate, active hemorrhage of obscure origin when performed in the hospital after a negative standard endoscopic evaluation and has important clinical value in guiding medical management.     

Yield of repeat wireless video capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

PURPOSE: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has been shown to have a high diagnostic yield in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). It is not known if repeating CE improves diagnostic yield or changes patient management when the initial CE is negative or nondiagnostic. The aims of this study are (1) to understand the reasons for repeat CE, (2) to determine the diagnostic yield of repeat CE, and (3) to establish if findings on repeat CE resulted in a change in patient management. METHODS: Between August 2001 and October 2003, we performed 391 capsule studies. Of these, 24 were repeat studies in patients with OGIB. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of these 24 patients. RESULTS: The reasons for repeat CE were: recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding (13), limited visualization on first exam due to poor prep or blood (10), complication (1) (capsule impaction at cricopharyngeus). Eighteen of 24 (75%) repeat capsule studies revealed additional findings (7 arteriovenous malformations, 2 gastropathy, 2 erosions, 2 masses, 1 ulcer, 2 red spots, 1 linear streak, 1 erythema). These findings led to changes in patient management in 15 of the 24 (62.5%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: Indications for repeat CE most commonly include recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and limited visualization on initial study. Repeat CE results in a high yield of new findings that lead to changes in patient management. Repeat CE should be considered in patients with persistent OGIB when the initial study is negative or inconclusive.     

Performance, patient acceptance, appropriateness of indications and potential influence on outcome of EUS: a prospective study in 397 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND: Although there is a large body of data on the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the diagnosis and staging of various gastroenterological disorders, little has been published on the influence of EUS in the management of patients. Data on the performance of EUS and patient acceptance are also sparse. METHODS: During a 10-month period, all consecutive EUS examinations were categorized by the examiner according to the appropriateness of the indications. Prior examinations, performance of EUS (duration, premedication, complications), and patient acceptance (assessed using a questionnaire by an independent investigator) were recorded. A mean of 2 months after the procedure, referring physicians were asked about the extent to which the EUS results had influenced their further diagnostic and therapeutic approach. RESULTS: A total of 397 patients were included; they were referred for EUS after a mean of 1. 8 specific tests had been performed. The appropriateness of the indications for EUS was categorized as "classic," "useful," and "potentially useful" (categories 1 to 3) in 81% of cases. The referring physicians replied that EUS had provided useful additional information in 55% of cases; the EUS findings prompted further tests in 22% and made further examinations unnecessary in 30%. A change in therapy was believed to be directly due to EUS in only 6% of cases. The duration of the EUS examinations ranged from a mean of 8.1 minutes (esophageal indications) to 18.9 minutes (biliary indications). There were no complications. In patients who were able to remember the EUS examination (42%), 90% found it tolerable, and 83% of all the patients interviewed were willing to have the examination repeated with the same level of sedation. CONCLUSIONS: EUS is a safe examination that can be carried out within a reasonable time frame by experienced examiners and without significant patient discomfort when performed under conscious sedation. With regard to patient management, EUS mainly influences further diagnostic tests.     

Capsule endoscopy or push enteroscopy for first-line exploration of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The position of capsule endoscopy (CE) relative to push enteroscopy (PE) in the diagnostic algorithm of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is unclear, as previous studies involved the use of both techniques in all patients. We therefore conducted a trial in which patients were randomized to undergo one or other exploration. METHODS: All consecutive patients referred for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding were randomized between CE and PE as the first-line exploration. The alternative method was only used if the first-line method revealed no definite bleeding source, or if required for clinical reasons during follow-up. RESULTS: CE and PE, used as the first-line exploration, identified a bleeding source in 20 of 40 patients and 9 of 38 patients, respectively (50% vs 24%; P = .02). CE missed lesions in 8% of patients, and all these lesions were located in sites accessible to standard endoscopy. PE missed lesions in 26% of patients. At the end of the 12-month follow-up period, the strategy based on CE as first-line exploration followed by PE if necessary only was similar to PE followed by CE in terms of diagnostic yield, clinical outcome, and therapeutic impact, but reduced the percentage of patients needing the alternative exploration (25% vs 79%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: CE has a higher diagnostic yield than PE in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, and a strategy based on CE as first-line exploration avoids unnecessary explorations.     

Clinical outcomes after double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with obscure GI bleeding and a positive capsule endoscopy

BACKGROUND: Obscure GI bleeding (OGIB) accounts for about 5% of all patients with GI bleeding. There are limited data on double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) after a positive finding on capsule endoscopy (CE) in this setting. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical outcomes after DBE therapy. DESIGN: Prospective single-center cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral university hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Recurrent bleeding and blood transfusion requirements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study of 60 consecutive patients with OGIB was conducted between July 2004 and March 2006. Patients underwent CE before DBE to target the lesion for either further diagnostic evaluation or therapeutic intervention. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) duration of follow-up was 10.0 +/- 5.2 months. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 62 +/- 18 years, with 31 men. A total of 74 DBE procedures were performed. An abnormality was seen by DBE in 45 patients (75%). In 12 patients (20%), a diagnosis was clarified or a new diagnosis was made. Therapy at DBE was performed in 34 patients (57%): 30 diathermies and 4 polypectomies. Endoscopic tattooing for targeted surgical removal was made in 3 additional patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified previous blood transfusion (odds ratio 10.5, 95% confidence interval 3.1-35; P < .001) to be the only independent predictor that required endoscopic therapy at DBE. Forty-eight patients (80%) had no further bleeding, and 46 patients (77%) had a normal Hb. Blood transfusion requirements fell from 34 patients to 10, P < .001. One patient had a perforation after therapeutic diathermy. LIMITATIONS: Nonrandomized study. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with OGIB and a positive finding on CE, DBE provided a safe and ambulatory method to achieve an excellent clinical outcome with significant reductions in recurrent bleeding and blood-transfusion requirements.     

Impact of therapeutic interventions induced by capsule endoscopy on long term outcome in chronic obscure GI bleeding

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic yield and the clinical impact of capsule endoscopy (CE) in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) are well known. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of therapeutic interventions induced by CE findings on long term outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with chronic OGIB referred to our center from September 2003 to June 2005 for CE were included. Treatment of intestinal lesions was prescribed according to the clinical characteristics of patients and the nature of the lesions. RESULTS: Forty patients were included, 18 females and 22 males. Median age was 54 yrs (range: 5-87) with a median follow-up of 13 months (range: 6-22). The diagnostic yield of CE was 75% (30/40). From 30 patients with positive CE, 16 received treatment (Group I) and 14 did not (Group II). Thus clinical impact was 40%. Ten patients had negative CE (Group III). During follow-up, bleeding recurrence was observed in only 1 patient from Group I (6%), 5 from Group II (36%) and 1 from Group III (10%). There were only significant differences between Group I vs Group II (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: CE results had a favorable influence in patient outcome allowing for specific treatment as they showed significantly reduced recurrent bleeding.     

A prospective, single-blind trial comparing wireless capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND: Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) are new methods enabling diagnostic endoscopy of the entire small intestine. However, which of the two is superior is unclear. We therefore prospectively compared the clinical efficacy of CE and DBE. METHODS: We prospectively examined 32 patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. CE preceded DBE by 1-7 days, and all patients underwent DBE twice, by antegrade and retrograde approaches, to evaluate the entire small intestine. Physicians evaluating the results of CE and DBE were blind to the results of the other method. We evaluated diagnosis, diagnostic yield of the two methods, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: CE revealed abnormal findings in 29 (90.6%) of 32 patients. CE definitively or probably detected the sources of bleeding in 23 (71.9%) of the 32 patients, including angioectasias (eight), erosions (seven), ulcers (five), tumor (one), and hemorrhagic polyps (two). DBE definitely or probably detected the sources of bleeding in 21 (65.6%) of the 32 patients, including angioectasias (seven), erosions (four), ulcers (five), tumor (one), hemorrhagic polyps (two) and diverticula (two). CE yielded more abnormal findings than DBE (CE 90.6%, DBE 65.6%) (P = 0.032), although there were no significant differences in diagnostic yield between the methods. We were able to perform additional treatment or biopsy with DBE in 13 patients, including coagulation therapy (ten), endoscopic mucosal resection (one), biopsy (seven), and extraction of retained CE (two). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the superiority of CE in detecting abnormal lesions, and the superiority of DBE in endoscopic management.     

Single-center experience of 309 consecutive patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM: To investigate the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), and to determine whether the yield was affected by different bleeding status.METHODS: Three hundred and nine consecutive patients (all with recent negative gastric and colonic endoscopy results) were investigated with CE; 49 cases with massive bleeding and 260 cases with chronic recurrent overt bleeding. Data regarding OGIB were obtained by retrospective chart review and review of an internal database of CE findings.RESULTS: Visualization of the entire small intestine was achieved in 81.88% (253/309) of cases. Clinically positive findings occurred in 53.72% (166/309) of cases. The positivity of the massive bleeding group was slightly higher than that of the chronic recurrent overt bleeding group but there was no significant difference (59.18% vs 52.69%, P > 0.05) between the two groups. Small intestinal tumors were the most common finding in the entire cohort, these accounted for 30% of clinically significant lesions. In the chronic recurrent overt bleeding group angioectasia incidence reached more than 29%, while in the massive bleeding group, small intestinal tumors were the most common finding at an incidence of over 51%. Increasing patient age was associated with positive diagnostic yield of CE and the findings of OGIB were different according to age range. Four cases were compromised due to the capsule remaining in the stomach during the entire test, and another patient underwent emergency surgery for massive bleeding. Therefore, the complication rate was 1.3%. CONCLUSION: In this study CE was proven to be a safe, comfortable, and effective procedure, with a high rate of accuracy for diagnosing OGIB.     

Analysis of the factors that affect the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding]

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has become a valuable modality for the detection of small bowel lesions. The usefulness of CE for obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding has been established with an overall diagnostic yield of 60%. It is unknown whether CE is of equal value in all the patients or of greater benefit in selected groups in Korea. We evaluated the factors that affect the diagnostic yields of CE in patients with obscure GI bleeding. METHODS: CE was performed in 126 consecutive patients [74 men and 52 women mean age 52.5 years (25-75 yrs), 23 with active bleeding] with obscure GI bleeding between September 2002 and July 2004. Patients were divided into two groups: those with documented bleeding lesions and those with non specific CE findings. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and other parameters that influenced the diagnostic yields of CE. RESULTS: A definite or probable cause for obscure GI bleeding was found in 69% (80/116) of the patients. NSAID induced ulcer (16.4%) and angiodysplasia (12.1%) were the most common diagnoses. In patients with active bleeding, the diagnostic yield was significantly greater than that of the patients with occult bleeding (80% vs. 68.3%, p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in parameters between patients with abnormal CE and those with normal CE in respect to gender, age, previous bleeding history, need for transfusion, cecum imaging, and bowel preparation. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic yield of CE in patients with obscure GI bleeding is 69%. It is significantly higher in patients with active bleeding.     

Capsule endoscopy and single-balloon enteroscopy in small bowel diseases: Competing or complementary?

AIM To evaluate diagnostic yields of capsule endoscopy(CE) and/or single-balloon enteroscopy(SBE) in patients with suspected small bowel diseases.METHODS Were trospectively analyzed 700 patients with suspected small bowel diseases from September 2010 to March 2016. CE, SBE, or SBE with prior CE was performed in 401, 353, and 47 patients, respectively. Data from clinical and endoscopy records were collected for analysis. Indications, procedure times, diagnostic yields, and complications were summarized and evaluated.RESULTS The overall diagnostic yield for the CE group was 57.6%. The diagnostic yield of CE in patients with obscure gastroin testinal bleeding(OGIB) was significantly greater than that in patients with no bleeding(70.5% vs 43.8%, P 0.01). The overall diagnostic yield of SBE was 69.7%. There was no difference in the diagnostic yield of SBE between patients with OGIB and those with no bleeding(72.5% vs 68.9%, P = 0.534). Forty-seven patients underwent CE prior to SBE. Among them, the diagnostic yield of SBE with positive findings on prior CE was 93.3%. In addition, SBE detected two cases with superficial ulcer and erosive lesions in the small bowel, which were missed by CE. However, one case with lymphoma and two with Crohn's disease were not confirmed by SBE. The rate of capsule retention was 2.0%. There were no significant complications during or after SBE examinations.CONCLUSION SBE is a safe and effective technique for diagnosing small bowel diseases. SBE with prior CE seemed to improve the diagnostic yield of small bowel diseases.     

Are guidelines followed in Helicobacter pylori diagnosis and therapy? An inquiry among gastroenterologists, referring physicians and patients in Munich

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Attempts to standardize Helicobacter pylori (Hp) diagnosis and therapy have led to the publication of guidelines by various national gastroenterological societies in Europe and the USA. However, little information is available either regarding the compliance of gastroenterologists and referring physicians with these guidelines, or regarding the patients' perspective. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all outpatient upper gastrointestinal endoscopy reports for a one-month period in eleven different centers (two university hospitals and nine private practice gastroenterology offices) with a total of 24 gastroenterologists. Endoscopy reports from patients wit the indications of reflux, diarrhea, and tumors were excluded. Diagnoses and treatment recommendations given by gastroenterologists were recorded. Questionnaires concerning Hp diagnosis, treatment indications and performance, and follow-up were sent to referring physicians and patients. RESULTS: A total of 772 endoscopy reports were included in the study; analyzable questionnaires were returned by 287 referring physicians (47%) and by 265 patients (59%). Gastroenterologists recommended Hp eradication in all ulcers and in 29% of gastritis/nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) cases. Referring physicians thought that 94% of ulcers should be treated by Hp eradication, which was also considered to be an absolute and relative indication in NUD by 15% and 53% of the referring physicians, respectively. Among the patients who replied, 52% had received Hp eradication regimens; ulcers were found in 22% of the total patient group. Check-up examinations after Hp therapy were considered necessary by 75% of the referring physicians, but only 22% of the responding patients actually underwent some form of check-up (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in 91%). CONCLUSIONS: Gastroenterologists and (to a somewhat lesser extent) referring physician appear to be following the current guidelines for Hp treatment. As expected, two thirds of referring physicians consider NUD to be absolute or relative indication for Hp eradication. Check-up examinations are apparently being performed less frequently than recommended.     

Safety of anticoagulation therapy in well-informed older patients

BACKGROUND: In older populations, oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) is underused by physicians, mainly because of fear of bleeding complications. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of bleeding complications and associated risk factors in a large heterogeneous group of older patients. METHODS: Combined retrospective and prospective cohort study conducted in geriatric and internal medicine departments. All patients 80 years or older discharged with the recommendation of OAT were followed up for a mean +/- SD of 28.8 +/- 36.3 months. The rate of bleeding events and the quality of anticoagulation were compared across a wide range of demographic and clinical variables and cognitive and functional status. In addition, we assessed the quality of education given to the patient or caregiver on the use of OAT. RESULTS: Among 15 387 patients 80 years or older, 323 (2.1%) were discharged with the recommendation of OAT. The rate of major bleedings was 2.4 events per 1000 patient-months. Socioeconomic and cognitive variables and functional impairments were not associated with an increased rate of bleeding. In multivariate analysis, insufficient education on OAT as perceived by the patient or caregiver (odds ratio [OR], 8.83), polypharmacy (OR, 6.14), and international normalized ratio values above the therapeutic range (OR, 1.08) were the only significant predictive factors for bleeding complications. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of bleeding complications, especially major bleedings, was low in this large group of older patients, many with comorbidities and cognitive and functional impairments. Insufficient OAT education was the major factor that predicted bleeding. Therefore, improving and fostering better methods of OAT education may further reduce bleeding complications.     

Different roles of capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy in obscure small intestinal diseases

AIM: To compare the roles of capsule endoscopy(CE)and double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE) in the diagnosis of obscure small bowel diseases.METHODS: From June 2009 to December 2014, 88 patients were included in this study; the patients had undergone gastroscopy, colonoscopy, radiological small intestinal barium meal, abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan and mesenteric angiography, but their diagnoses were still unclear. The patients with gastrointestinal obstructions,fistulas, strictures, or cardiac pacemakers, as well as pregnant women, and individuals who could not accept the capsule-retention or capsule-removal surgery were excluded. Patients with heart, lung and other vital organ failure diseases were also excluded. Everyone involved in this study had undergone CE and DBE. The results were divided into:(1) the definite diagnosis(the diagnosis was confirmed at least by one of the biopsy,surgery, pathology or the drug treatment effects with follow-up for at least 3 mo);(2) the possible diagnosis(a possible diagnosis was suggested by CE or DBE,but not confirmed by the biopsy, surgery or follow-up drug treatment effects); and(3) the unclear diagnosis(no exact causes were provided by CE and DBE for the disease). The detection rate and the diagnostic yield of the two methods were compared. The differencein the etiologies between CE and DBE was estimated,and the different possible etiologies caused by the age groups were also investigated.RESULTS: CE exhibited a better trend than DBE for diagnosing scattered small ulcers(P = 0.242, Fisher's test), and small vascular malformations(χ 2 = 1.810,P = 0.179, Pearson χ 2 test), but with no significant differences, possible due to few cases. However,DBE was better than CE for larger tumors(P =0.018, Fisher's test) and for diverticular lesions with bleeding ulcers(P = 0.005, Fisher's test). All three hemangioma cases diagnosed by DBE in this study(including sponge hemangioma, venous hemangioma,and hemangioma with hamartoma lesions) were all confirmed by biopsy. Two parasite cases were found by CE, but were negative by DBE. This study revealed no obvious differences in the detection rates(DR) of CE(60.0%, 53/88) and DBE(59.1%, 52/88). However,the etiological diagnostic yield(DY) difference was apparent. The CE diagnostic yield was 42.0%(37/88),and the DBE diagnostic yield was 51.1%(45/88).Furthermore, there were differences among the age groups(χ 2 = 22.146, P = 0.008, Kruskal Wallis Test). Small intestinal cancer(5/6 cases), vascular malformations(22/29 cases), and active bleeding(3/4cases) appeared more commonly in the patients over50 years old, but diverticula with bleeding ulcers were usually found in the 15-25-year group(4/7cases). The over-25-year group accounted for the stromal tumors(10/12 cases).CONCLUSION: CE and DBE each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The appropriate choice depends on the patient's age, tolerance, and clinical manifestations. Sometimes CE followed by DBE is necessary.