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Long-Term Impact of Capsule Endoscopy in Patients Referred for Iron-Deficiency Anemia

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA

    Sarah Sheibani, Barrett G. Levesque, Shai Friedland, Jennifer Roost & Lauren B. Gerson

  2. Division of Gastroenterology, Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Sarah Sheibani, Barrett G. Levesque, Shai Friedland, Jennifer Roost & Lauren B. Gerson

  3. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, A149, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305-5202, USA

    Lauren B. Gerson

Authors
  1. Sarah Sheibani
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  2. Barrett G. Levesque
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  3. Shai Friedland
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  4. Jennifer Roost
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  5. Lauren B. Gerson
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Correspondence to Lauren B. Gerson.

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Sheibani, S., Levesque, B.G., Friedland, S. et al. Long-Term Impact of Capsule Endoscopy in Patients Referred for Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Dig Dis Sci 55, 703–708 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-1046-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-1046-3

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