P229 PillCamCrohn’sCapsule: the use of a panenteric capsule endoscopy in a Portuguese centre

C. Gomes, M. Sousa, A. Ponte, R. Pinho, A. Rodrigues, J.C. Rocha Silva, E. Afecto, J. Carvalho

Department of Gastroenterology, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia, Vila Nova Gaia, Portugal

Background

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a complex chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal condition with variable age of onset, disease location and behaviour. PillCamCrohn’sCapsule (PCC) was recently introduced as a new system composed of a two-headed capsule which allows an extensive coverage of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This panenteric capsule endoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis and monitoring of CD patients and has the potential to reduce multiple procedures in CD, consequently increasing patients’ satisfaction. However, its role in clinical practice remains undefined due to limited data. A recent study in children demonstrated its importance ina treat-to-target approach and a randomised trial is currently under-recruiting in order to evaluate the likelihood of panenteric mucosal healing in CD patients treated with Vedolizumab. The authors present an analysis of the application of this system.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of SBC from patients with suspected or established CD was performed. Data were collected retrospectively. Patients performed 2L of polyethylene glycol (PEG) prior to PCC ingestion. After PCC ingestion, patients underwent sequentially: 2 boosters of sodium phosphate (NaP). The authors assessed: indication of PCC, bowel preparation, completeness (when the capsule was naturally excreted), Lewis and CECDAI scores and complications. Diagnosis confirmation and changes in stage disease were also evaluated.

Results

Eighteen patients (median age 43 years, 55.6% female, established CD in 83.3%) were included in the analysis. Indications were suspected CD (16.7%), definition of disease activity and extension (27.8%) and assessment of treatment response (44.4%). All procedures were complete and had an adequate bowel cleansing (Brotzqualitative excellent n = 1, Good n = 15, fair n = 2; Brotz quantitative median 9.5). 72.2% patients presented inflammatory lesions. In established CD median Lewis was 900 and CECDAI 8.5. PCCcorroborated the diagnosis in 1 of 3 patients with suspected CD and changed the staging of the disease in known CD in 13.3% (L1 to L3 n = 1 and B1 to B2 n = 1). No complications were reported including capsule retentions.

Conclusion

This preliminary study showed that PCC is an effective and safe tool to use in suspected or established CD patients. In our study, this method was more frequently used for assessment of treatment response. PCC could be of great advantage in our clinical practice since it provides a complete examination of mucosal healing of the gastrointestinal tract in a single procedure, helping physicians in disease management.