Age and Video Capsule Endoscopy in Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Prospective Study on Hospitalized Patients

Abstract

Old age is not a risk factor for incomplete VCE examination and it is associated with increased VCE yield.

Age Should Not Be a Barrier to Performing Capsule Endoscopy in the Elderly with Anaemia

“…There was no significant difference in the yield between those with anaemia or overt bleeding (52% vs. 58%, P = 0.3). The commonest diagnosis in the elderly was angioectasia in 34% of patients, which is consistent with the findings of Scaglione et al [1] and the published literature [2,3].The other findings included small bowel carcinoid tumours (n = 2), Crohn's disease (n = 2), fresh bleeding in the small bowel (n = 8) small bowel diverticulae (n = 2), small bowel ulcers (n = 18) and miscellaneous (n = 8). In 8% of patients, pathology was found outside the small bowel.…”

“…We read with interest the article by Scaglione et al [1] on the influence of age on capsule endoscopy (CE) in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGB). We would like to share our observations in this area.…”

Small Bowel Lymphangioma - A Rare Cause of Small Bowel Bleeding

“…Capsule endoscopy has demonstrated significant diagnostic utility for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding (OGIB) [6]. Capsule endoscopy has also been shown to have an increased yield in older patients [7]. Furthermore, capsule endoscopy prior to small bowel enteroscopy has demonstrated a superior diagnostic yield when compared to just initial push enteroscopy [8].…”

What is the clinical yield of capsule endoscopy in the management of obscure bleeding in emergency service?

“…Scaglione et al reported that diagnostic value under the age of 65 years was 45% while ratio goes up to 75% for patients aged over 65 years. [10] …”

“…Guidelines developed by Gerson et al are presented here as an example. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Our algorithm is shown in Figure 5.…”