[Diagnostic yield of the endoscopic capsule and their impact in the clinical outcome]

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a promising diagnostic method that evaluates gastrointestinal tract in all extension. If it is used in the correct patient, it is safe, noninvasive, tolerated very well. The CE is an important element in the diagnostic of diseases of the small bowel, specially in diagnostic of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

To evaluate the diagnostic yield and clinical outcome after CE in HNERM (Lima, Peru).

It is a retrospective study between January 2004 and January 2007. We reviewed specific interventions before and after CE and were noted.

Forty five CE were obtained, were excluded 4 from them. Fifty six percent (23/41). The first indication to CE was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding with 85.4% (35/41), followed by diarrhea plus anemia 7.3% (3/41),chronic diarrhea with 4.9% (2/41) abdominal pain with 2.4% (1/41). The average duration of symptoms and signs before making the CE was of 20.8 months. The most frequent findings were: flebectasias, active bleeding, erosions, parasites, ulcers, and angiodisplasias. Positive findings were 29% (12/41), suspicious findings were 29%, too. Overall diagnostic yield was 58.5% (24/41). The diagnostic yield of each indication was: obscure overt gastrointestinal bleeding 65% (13/20), obscure occult gastrointestinal bleeding 60% (9/15), abdominal pain 0% (0/1) and diarrea 50% (1/2). The best evolution was in positive CE (75% vs 33% p=0.03).

The overall diagnostic yield was 59% and the evolution was better when we obtain some result in the CE. The prospective following is necessary to evaluate long term outcome of the patients after the obtained result and of the established treatment.