Rodrigues-Pinto E1, Cardoso H1, Rosa B2, Santos-Antunes J1, Rodrigues S1, Marques M1, Lopes S1, Albuquerque A1, Carvalho P2, Moreira M2, Cotter J2, Macedo G1.
1Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal.
2Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave, Guimarães, Portugal.
ABSTRACT
Background and study aims
One of the indications for capsule endoscopy (CE) is the detection of proximal small bowel (SB) involvement in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. Our aim was to assess clinical, laboratory and endoscopic predictors associated with proximal SB involvement in CD patients submitted to CE. Patients and methods: Retrospective multicentre study in which Lewis score (LS) was systematically determined in 190CE of patients diagnosed with CD between 2003 and 2014.
Results:
Significant inflammatory activity (LS> 135) was present in 23% of the patients in the first tertile and in 31% of the patients in the second tertile. Albumin, haemoglobin, and total proteins were significantly lower in patients with a LS> 790 compared to patients with a LS<135, while white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein were significantly higher. In the univariable analysis, a higher risk for proximal SB involvement at CE was associated with ileal involvement at ileocolonoscopy (OR 2.858,P=0.006), higher platelets levels (OR 1.005, P=0.004) and significant weight loss (OR 2.450,P=0.006). In logistic regression, ileal involvement at ileocolonoscopy (OR 6.817,P=0.003), stricturing behavior (OR8.653,P=0.011) and significant weight loss (OR3.629, P=0.028) were independently associated with proximal SB involvement at CE. Considering the ROC curve of this model, a cut-off >0.249 predicts proximal SB involvement with 90% sensitivity and 40% specificity (AUROC 0.732).
Conclusions:
One-third of patients had proximal SB involvement. Predictive factors were significant weight loss, stricturing behaviour, and ileal involvement at ileocolonoscopy. These data help to select CD patients that benefit the most from performing a CE.
