Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Indication as a Predictor of Study Quality

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess whether specific indications are associated with poor visualization during wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) studies . Four hundred consecutive WCE studies performed at our institute were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Data was available on cases involving 176 males and 224 females. About 23 capsules failed to exit the stomach (excluded from the study). Poor visualization was reported in 66 (17%) WCE studies. The most common indications were gastrointestinal (GI) blood loss (271 cases; 72%), abdominal pain and/or diarrhea (73 cases; 19%), and suspected inflammatory bowel disease (46 cases; 12%). Of the 271 patients suffering GI bleeding, visualization was reported to be poor in 53 (19%) patients; among those showing other indications, visualization was poor in 13 (11%) patients (P = 0.02). After controlling for secondary indications and age, GI bleeding was associated with a higher rate of poor visualization compared to all other indications (odds ratio 2.6; 95% confidence interval 1.4-6.8). CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal bleeding as study indication for WCE is associated with a higher rate of poor visualization.