BACKGROUND: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is recommended as the third diagnostic test for patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) after a normal upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. AIMS: To study long-term outcomes after VCE in patients with IDA. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of VCE studies performed at Stanford University Hospital or the VA Palo Alto Health Care System from 2002 to 2006. We assessed endoscopic or radiographic procedures performed post-CE and contacted patients by telephone in order to determine current medical status and potential resolution of anemia since the VCE. RESULTS: We invited 153 patients to participate, and 82 (54%) patients agreed to enroll including 57 patients with IDA and 25 patients with overt gastrointestinal bleeding. The overt group received more transfusions pre-CE (P < 0.05). The mean follow-up time was 36 +/- 16 months (median 33 months, range 14-67) in the IDA referral group and 40 +/- 16 months (median 39 months, range 17-69) in the overt bleeding group (P = 0.3). Positive findings on VCE were detected in 35 (60%) and 15 (60%) patients in the IDA referral and overt groups, respectively (P= 1.0). Of the 35 patients in the IDA referral group with significant VCE findings, 15 underwent therapeutic procedures, while 20 were managed conservatively. Over the mean follow-up period, 23% of the IDA referral group and 22% of the overt group remained anemic (P = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients referred for VCE examination to evaluate IDA were no longer anemic at 36 months of follow-up, with or without therapeutic intervention.
BACKGROUND: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is recommended as the third diagnostic test for patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) after a normal upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. AIMS: To study long-term outcomes after VCE in patients with IDA. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of VCE studies performed at Stanford University Hospital or the VA Palo Alto Health Care System from 2002 to 2006. We assessed endoscopic or radiographic procedures performed post-CE and contacted patients by telephone in order to determine current medical status and potential resolution of anemia since the VCE. RESULTS: We invited 153 patients to participate, and 82 (54%) patients agreed to enroll including 57 patients with IDA and 25 patients with overt gastrointestinal bleeding. The overt group received more transfusions pre-CE (P < 0.05). The mean follow-up time was 36 +/- 16 months (median 33 months, range 14-67) in the IDA referral group and 40 +/- 16 months (median 39 months, range 17-69) in the overt bleeding group (P = 0.3). Positive findings on VCE were detected in 35 (60%) and 15 (60%) patients in the IDA referral and overt groups, respectively (P= 1.0). Of the 35 patients in the IDA referral group with significant VCE findings, 15 underwent therapeutic procedures, while 20 were managed conservatively. Over the mean follow-up period, 23% of the IDA referral group and 22% of the overt group remained anemic (P = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients referred for VCE examination to evaluate IDA were no longer anemic at 36 months of follow-up, with or without therapeutic intervention.
Authors: P Apostolopoulos; C Liatsos; I M Gralnek; E Giannakoulopoulou; G Alexandrakis; C Kalantzis; P Gabriel; N Kalantzis Journal: Endoscopy Date: 2006-11 Impact factor: 10.093
Authors: Bradford H Jones; David E Fleischer; Virender K Sharma; Russell I Heigh; Arthur D Shiff; Jose L Hernandez; Jonathan A Leighton Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 10.864
Authors: F Junquera; F Feu; M Papo; S Videla; J R Armengol; J M Bordas; E Saperas; J M Piqué; J R Malagelada Journal: Gastroenterology Date: 2001-11 Impact factor: 22.682