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.