A prospective 12-week mucosal healing assessment of small bowel Crohn's disease as detected by capsule endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal healing is increasingly recognized as an important treatment goal in Crohn's disease (CD). Data from colonic disease shows improved long-term outcomes in patients achieving complete mucosal healing. Little is currently known of this with respect to ileitis, which is increasingly diagnosed using small bowel capsule endoscopy. The study aimed to prospectively assess mucosal healing and deep remission rates in a cohort of symptomatic small bowel CD patients commencing biologic or immunomodulator therapy. METHODS: Baseline demographics, quality of life questionnaires and Harvey-Bradshaw index were collected along with C-reactive protein and calprotectin. Capsule endoscopy Crohn's disease activity (CECDAI) index was used to assess ileitis severity. All parameters were reassessed at week 12. Results at baseline and week 12 were compared using two-tailed Wilcoxon analysis, P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In total, 43 patients of 71 screened underwent 80 small bowel capsule endoscopies. On the basis of the CECDAI, 39 (90%) demonstrated active small bowel CD at baseline with 37 (86%) undergoing 12-week assessment. Overall there was a statistically significant symptomatic and biochemical improvement at week 12. Furthermore, 10 (27%) had demonstrated a normalization in CECDAI (<3.5), which was statistically significant (P<0.0005, 95% confidence interval 0.12-0.15). However, no patient had achieved full mucosal healing. CONCLUSION: In patients with active small bowel CD early symptomatic and biochemical response to treatment is not mirrored by mucosal healing. Repeat mucosal healing assessment in this cohort is warranted following a longer duration of treatment to identify potential mucosal healing and deep remission rates.

The use of small bowel capsule endoscopy in iron deficiency anaemia: low impact on outcome in the medium term despite high diagnostic yield.

INTRODUCTION: Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is a useful diagnostic modality in small bowel disorders. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is one of the most common indications for SBCE. However, there are limited data on the diagnostic yield for IDA alone, and little is known about the clinical impact and long-term outcome of patients following SBCE. AIM: To determine the diagnostic yield of SBCE in IDA and to examine outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of a tertiary referral centre's database over a 21-month time period was carried out. Information on follow-up and management was obtained through chart review. RESULTS: In all, 309 SBCEs were identified, 30% (n=93) for anaemia and in 70% (n=65), follow-up data were available. The small bowel diagnostic yield for IDA was 53% (n=35), including angiodysplasia 49% (n=17), nonspecific inflammation 34% (n=12), active bleeding 11% (n=4) and Crohn's disease 6% (n=2). In addition, 16% (n=10) had abnormalities (gastritis, gastric antral vascular ectasia, duodenitis) outside the small bowel. In all, 42% (n=27) were persistently anaemic after a mean follow-up of 9.3 months. Of these, 52% (n=14) and 48% (n=13) had positive and negative SBCEs, respectively. In total, SBCE led to a change in treatment in 28 patients (44%), of whom 17 (61%) remained anaemic. CONCLUSION: This study shows a high overall diagnostic yield for SBCE in IDA 71% (n=45). Despite the majority, 53% (n=24), of patients with positive tests receiving specific treatment, 61% (n=17) remained anaemic in the long term. SBCE results were not predictive of long-term outcome even when stratified for a change in management.