Initial experience with capsule endoscopy at a major referral hospital.

OBJECTIVES To determine the utility of capsule endoscopy in patients referred for investigation of suspected disease of the small intestine. DESIGN AND SETTING Single centre, prospective, cohort study from 4 July 2001 to 8 September 2002. PATIENTS Sixty consecutive patients who underwent capsule endoscopy for investigation of suspected disease of the small intestine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Abnormal findings at capsule endoscopy. RESULTS Examination of the entire small bowel was achieved in 46/60 patients (77%). Thirty-two of 47 patients (68%) referred with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding had positive findings. Seven of nine patients (78%) referred for investigation of suspected Crohn's disease had small bowel erosions or ulcers consistent with Crohn's disease. The capsule was not passed in one patient. CONCLUSION Capsule endoscopy is a novel, minimally invasive and useful tool for the investigation of the small intestine.