Pérez-Cuadrado-Robles E, Zamora-Nava LE, Jiménez-García VA, Pérez-Cuadrado-Martínez E. Indications for and diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy in the elderly.
Rev Gastroenterol Mex (Engl Ed) 2018;
83:238-244. [PMID:
29456092 DOI:
10.1016/j.rgmx.2017.08.004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS
The growing elderly population and wide use of capsule endoscopy have led to a higher number of procedures in those patients. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of capsule endoscopy in older patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
All consecutive patients undergoing capsule endoscopy at our center within the time frame of 2004-2016 were classified as older (≥75 years of age) and younger. Findings and diagnostic yield were comparatively assessed.
RESULTS
Of 2311 patients (mean age: 59.5 ± 19.23 years, 44.48% male), 648 were in the older group and 1663 in the younger group. Gastric transit time was shorter in the older patients (p=0.001), whereas small bowel transit time was shorter in the younger patients (p<0.001). Overall diagnostic yield in the elderly was higher (50.66% vs. 41.19%, p<0.001). Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding was the most frequent indication for capsule endoscopy in the elderly (90.4% vs. 53.77%, p<0.001), achieving a higher diagnostic yield than in the younger population (51.47% vs. 42.76%, p=0.002), whereas Crohn's disease, suspected or known neoplasms/polyps, malabsorption syndrome, and abdominal pain were the indications in the younger patient group. Such indications were rare in the older group. Vascular lesions and active bleeding were more frequently diagnosed in the older patients, whereas ulcers/erosions and mucosal atrophy were more common in the younger patients (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Capsule endoscopy achieved a higher overall diagnostic yield in the elderly patients. Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding indication for capsule endoscopy was much more frequent in the advanced-age group and had a higher diagnostic yield.
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