Introduction
Despite the widespread use of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (CE), there is still limited data on its utility and effectiveness for the diagnosis and management of patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA).
Aim
To assess the diagnostic yield of CE and the factors predicting positive findings in patients with IDA.
Methods
Patients with unexplained IDA and negative upper and lower endoscopy were included. A positive diagnostic yield was considered when CE diagnosed one or more lesions that could explain the IDA. Sex, age, NSAID consumption, blood transfusion requirement, and ferritin and hemoglobin levels were recorded.
Results
In total, 120 CE were included (mean age 58.5 years; F/M 82:38). Mean hemoglobin levels were 9 g/dL and mean ferritin levels were 15.7 ng/mL. Positive findings were present in 50 % of patients. The most frequent was angiodysplasia (45 %). Despite several baseline variables being significantly associated with positive findings, using a logistic regression model, it was verified that male sex (OR 3.93; 95 %CI 1.57 – 9.86), age (OR 1.03; 95 %CI 1.00 – 1.06), and hemoglobin levels (OR 0.73; 95 %CI 0.57 – 0.94) were the variables having an independent effect on the probability of obtaining positive findings. Age older than 50 years (OR 14.05; 95 %CI 1.69 – 116.23) and male sex (OR 3.63; 95 %CI 1.29 – 10.17) were the variables which increased the risk of diagnosing angiodysplasia.
Conclusions
CE is a useful technique in patients with IDA. To improve its yield, it is necessary to select patients carefully. Male sex, older age, and low hemoglobin levels were associated with a risk of positive finding in this group of patients. The risk of diagnosing angiodysplasia increased with male sex and older age.
Different international organizations have indicated the need to analyze the conditions of each population in order to identify groups and individuals at risk as an operational strategy in pursuit of greater equity, efficacy and efficiency in the health system. The aim of this study was to identify differentials in the dental caries profiles of children attending public schools in the county of Avellaneda (Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina) and their association with variables of social protection. In 2014, an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was performed with a sample of 656 students 12 years of age from 40 public schools in the 8 county districts (out of a total universe of 3580 individuals distributed in 70 schools). The dental status of 12-year-old schoolchildren living in the localities evaluated showed an unequal distribution; sub-groups with high caries prevalence, morbidity and severity were identified, requiring the targeting of health interventions. An association between untreated disease and lack of social protection was observed.
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