PillCam small bowel capsule endoscopy gastric passage interval association with patient's complaints and pathological findings: A prospective study

Background and Aims: Prolonged gastric transit interval of small bowel video capsule endoscopy (SBCE) can potentially indicate a motility disorder and disrupt whole small bowel visualization. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the association of prolonged gastric passage interval with symptoms, anthropometric and laboratory factors, and factors related to the SBCE examination, such as indications and pathological findings. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective single-center study that included 100 patients who underwent SBCE for any indication. Before the examination, clinical, demographic, and anthropometric data were recorded. The patients filled the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptoms Index (GCSI) questionnaire. We assessed the difference in the study parameters between the prolonged gastric transit (≥45 min) group and the group with a normal gastric transit. Results: Seventy-six patients had normal gastric passage interval and 24 patients had prolonged gastric passage interval. No significant differences were found between the groups in age, sex, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, use of antimotility drugs, indications for the exam and levels of hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, and albumin. Esophageal and small bowel transition intervals did not vary between both groups. The mean score for any GCSI item and the mean total GCSI score did not differ significantly between the normal and the prolonged gastric passage interval groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in pathological findings in the small bowel. Conclusion: In the study population, prolonged SBCE gastric transit interval had no clinical significance, and therefore, probably does not mandate any further gastrointestinal evaluation.