| Title | Long-Term Outcomes after Double Balloon Enteroscopy for Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding. | | Author(s) | Gerson LB, Batenic MA, Ross A, Semrad C | | Source | Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009 Feb 10. | | Abstract | BACKGROUND & AIMS:: Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) allows for visualization of the small bowel. Long term outcomes after DBE performed in patients for the evaluation of obscure overt or occult bleeding have not been determined.
METHODS:: We invited patients who underwent DBE at Stanford University or the University of Chicago between 8/04-9/06 to participate. Post-DBE telephone interviews were conducted after a mean of 11 and 30 months in order to inquire about recurrent bleeding and/or anemia and additional testing post-DBE.
RESULTS:: We invited 274 patients to participate. We interviewed 127 (46%) patients after a mean (+SD) of 11+5 (range 6-26) months and 57 patients after a mean of 30+7.3 (range 18-48) months post-DBE. At 11 months, recurrent anemia and/or overt bleeding occurred in 74 (58%) patients including 23 with overt bleeding and 51 with recurrent anemia. After the second assessment, recurrent anemia and/or overt bleeding was reported by 19 (33%) patients. In the 44 (35%) patients who underwent endoscopic treatment of small bowel AVMs, 22 (50%) had no recurrence of bleeding at 11 months, and 8/13 (62%) at 30 months. Of the 48 (38%) patients with normal examinations, 22 (46%) did not have bleeding recurrence at 11 months, and 24/35 (69%) at 30 months. The study was limited by lack of knowledge regarding usage of warfarin, aspirin, and/or other antiplatelet agents.
CONCLUSIONS:: Recurrent bleeding and/or anemia was demonstrated in more than half of the cohort one year post-DBE. By 30 months, only one-third reported persistent obscure blood loss. | | Language | ENG | | Pub Type(s) | JOURNAL ARTICLE
| | PubMed ID | 19558981 |
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