Capsule endoscopy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding--an Indian experience.

BACKGROUND: Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is a common indication for capsule endoscopy (CE). Reports on diagnostic yield of CE in this situation show a wide variation. We evaluated the diagnostic yield and clinical impact of CE in patients with OGIB. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients with OGIB who underwent CE at our institution between June 2002 and October 2005. RESULTS: 154 patients (mean age 47 [SD 17] years; 117 men), including 74 with overt OGIB and 80 with occult OGIB, underwent CE. CE yielded positive findings in 57 of 74 patients (77%) with overt OGIB and 22 of 80 (27%) of those with occult OGIB (p < 0.0001); the overall positive diagnostic yield was 52%. NSAID-induced lesions (15%), angiodysplasias (14%) and aphthous ulcers (12%) were the most frequent findings. CE helped in planning further management in 79% of patients with overt OGIB and 26% of those with occult OGIB. CONCLUSION: CE is a useful diagnostic technique in patients with OGIB, especially those with overt OGIB.