The Impact of Metabolic Risk Factors, Diabetes, Medications, and Comorbid Illness on Transit Time at Capsule Endoscopy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a safe and effective way of investigating obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. One of the main limitations of VCE is suboptimal visualisation due to prolonged gastric transit time (GTT) or rapid small intestinal transit time (SITT). The role of metabolic risk factors, diabetes, and medications on transit times remains unclear. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of diabetes, obesity, medications, and metabolic syndrome on transit times at VCE. Method: The study performed was a single centre, observational study. Results: Significant predictors of decreased GTT were increasing age and use of beta blocker medication. No predictive factors for increased GTT were identified. Significant predictors of decreased SITT on univariate analysis were increased GTT, serum glucose >5mmol/L, obesity, and diabetes. On multivariate analysis, increased GTT and glucose remained significant. Conclusions: Beta-blocker therapy reduces GTT. Hyperglycaemia at the time of VCE reduces SITT. These allow for possible therapeutic strategies to improve the diagnostic yield at VCE.