Do Motility Disorders Effect the Gastric Emptying or Small Bowel Transit Times of Capsule Endoscopy

Abstract

Purpose: Capsule endoscopy is utilized to evaluate the small bowel mucosa. There is presently little information available evaluating this technology in patients with known motility disorders. This study evaluated the gastric emptying time (GET) and small bowel transit time (SBTT) of capsule endoscopy in patients with diabetes, hypothyroidism, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the medical records and capsule endoscopy reports of consecutive patients who underwent small bowel capsule endoscopy at a university gastroenterology practice in 2004–2006. The medical records were reviewed to determine if the patient had a diagnosis of diabetes, hypothyroidism, or irritable bowel syndrome. A database was created using Microsoft Excel. The GET and SBTT of patients with disorders that can affect motility and patients without these disorders were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test. Results: In the 197 patients in whom capsule endoscopy was performed, 39 had a diagnosis of diabetes, 16 had a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, and 7 had a diagnosis of IBS. In patients with diabetes, the average GET was 71.87 minutes and the average SBTT was 236.24 minutes. In patients with hypothyroidism, the average GET was 56.82 minutes and the average SBTT was 238.88 minutes. In patients with IBS, the average GET was 69.86 minutes and the average SBTT was 229.19 minutes. There was no statistically significant difference in the GET (p= 0.24) and SBTT (p= 0.33) between patients with and without the diagnosis of diabetes. There was no statistically significant difference in the GET (p= 0.88) and SBTT (p= 0.64) between patients with and without the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. There was no statistically significant difference in the GET (p= 0.70) and SBTT (p= 0.92) between patients with and without the diagnosis of IBS. Conclusions: There are no published reports on capsule endoscopy determined transit times in patients with a disorder known to effect motility. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and IBS are known to impact upon intestinal motility. However, this study revealed these conditions had no significant impact on GET or SBTT. Further studies should be performed in these disorders to determine their impact upon transit times and capsule endoscopy interpretation.