Endoscopy Tool for Diagnosing Celiac Disease

Researchers noted that an endoscopic tool, video capsule enteroscopy (VCE) may prove to be an appropriate method to diagnose patients with celiac disease, a gastrointestinal condition. The Italian research team published their findings using this approach in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

The team evaluated 43 patients who were undergoing assessment for potential celiac disease. Patients underwent VCE, in addition to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to procure duodenal biopsy samples. The goal of the research study was to determine the ability of VCE to document changes in the mucosa villi, including documentation of villous atrophy.

32 of the patients who participated in the study had celiac disease. Disease determination was based on the current gold standard for diagnosis, evaluation of duodenal biopsies according to Marsh’s criteria.

The team evaluated the diagnostic power of VCE, using findings from histopathology as a reference point. The sensitivity of VCE was 87.5 percent and sensitivity 90.9 percent. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 96.5 percent and 71.4 percent, respectively.

The current technique to diagnose the condition entails procuring multiple tissue specimens obtained endoscopically. Advantages noted with VCE compared to this approach include a procedure that is less invasive. Another benefit is the ability to visualize areas of the entire small intestine, some of which cannot been seen using upper GI endoscopy.

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