Abstract

Background: Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) is a relatively new method to evaluate the small intestine. Aim: To evaluate the indications of CE in our center and assess whether specific indications are associated with best results during CE studies. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 69 patients aged 9 to 85 years (36 males) subjected to a CE at our institution between April 2004 and October 2007. Results: The most common indications for CE were overt gastrointestinal bleeding in 43.5% of patients, iron deficiency anemia in 39.1%, suspicion of a small bowel tumor in 4.3%, chronic diarrhea in 4.3% and abdominal pain in 2.9%. CE was normal in 23.2% and was able to find lesions in 76.8% of the studies. Gastrointestinal bleeding, followed by iron deficiency anemia were the indications associated with the higher rates of positive findings during CE. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia were the indications that obtained the best diagnostic yield for CE.