Clinical Outcomes between P1 and P0 Lesions for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding with Negative Computed Tomography...

A simple classification for the relevance of lesions (P0, P1, and P2; no bleeding potential, less likely to bleed, and more likely to bleed, respectively) based on capsule endoscopy (CE) findings has been used. This study aimed at investigating rebleeding rates and predictive factors of P0 and P1 lesions after obtaining negative findings in both, CE and computed tomography (CT), for patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).

Among 193 patients resulted in negative CE findings defined as P0 or P1 lesions, 84 patients with negative results on CT images were enrolled in this study. The rebleeding rates and predictive factors were assessed in the P0 and P1 groups.

Overall rebleeding rate in patients with negative CT and CE was 17.9%; 18.4% in the P0 group; 17.4% in the P1 group within a median follow-up duration of 18.5 months. In the P0 and P1 groups, the cumulative rebleeding rates were 9.2%, 25.4%, and 25.4%, and 6.9%, 11.8%, and 18.6% at 12, 24, and 60 months, respectively (p = 0.97). There were no independent rebleeding associated factors in the P0 group, whereas Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.019, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.158-3.519, p = 0.013), and initial low hemoglobin (Hb) level (<8 g/dL) (HR = 15.085, 95% CI: 1.182-192.514, p = 0.037) were independent predictive factors responsible for rebleeding in the P1 group.

Despite having negative findings on CT and CE, patients with OGIB have a significant potential rebleeding risk. Although there was no significant difference in rebleeding rates between the P0 and P1 groups on CE, the P1 group, with CCI or low initial Hb level, should be cautiously observed after the first bleeding episode.