A large proportion of patients demonstrating obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) are antithrombotic users and need to undergo small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). We examined the effect of discontinuation of antithrombotics on the diagnostic yield of SBCE. Additionally, we assessed predictive factors associated with positive SBCE findings. Our study included 130 patients using antithrombotics who underwent SBCE for overt OGIB. The primary endpoint was the difference in the rate of positive SBCE findings between patients who continued and those who discontinued antithrombotics. Secondary endpoints were to investigate the effect of discontinuation of antithrombotics using a propensity score analysis, and to assess predictive factors associated with a positive SBCE. Among the 73 patients who continued use of antithrombotics, 36 (49.3%) patients demonstrated positive findings, while among the 57 patients who discontinued antithrombotics, 35 (61.4%) patients showed positive findings. Rates of positive SBCE findings didn't differ between the two groups. After we performed propensity score matching, discontinuation didn't affect the rate of positive SBCE findings. The lowest hemoglobin level was the only independent predictive factor associated with positive SBCE findings. In conclusion, discontinuation of antithrombotic therapy didn't affect the diagnostic yield of SBCE in patients presenting with overt OGIB.
Keywords: antithrombotics; capsule endoscopy; obscure gastrointestinal bleeding; small intestine.