Brief Article
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2009; 15(10): 1254-1258
Published online Mar 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.1254
Meta-analysis of capsule endoscopy in patients diagnosed or suspected with esophageal varices
Yi Lu, Rui Gao, Zhuan Liao, Liang-Hao Hu, Zhao-Shen Li
Yi Lu, Rui Gao, Zhuan Liao, Liang-Hao Hu, Zhao-Shen Li, Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China
Author contributions: Liao Z, Gao R and Lu Y contributed equally to this work; Li ZS and Liao Z designed the research; Lu Y, Gao R and Hu LH performed the research; Liao Z and Gao R collected data; Lu Y and Hu LH analyzed data; Lu Y and Gao R wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Zhao-Shen Li, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China. zhaoshenli@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-21-25070552
Fax: +86-21-55621735
Received: October 2, 2008
Revised: January 7, 2009
Accepted: January 14, 2009
Published online: March 14, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To review the literature on capsule endoscopy (CE) for detecting esophageal varices using conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as the standard.

METHODS: A strict literature search of studies comparing the yield of CE and EGD in patients diagnosed or suspected as having esophageal varices was conducted by both computer search and manual search. Data were extracted to estimate the pooled diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS: There were seven studies appropriate for meta-analysis in our study, involving 446 patients. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CE for detecting esophageal varices were 85.8% and 80.5%, respectively. In subgroup analysis, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 82.7% and 54.8% in screened patients, and 87.3% and 84.7% in the screened/patients under surveillance, respectively.

CONCLUSION: CE appears to have acceptable sensitivity and specificity in detecting esophageal varices. However, data are insufficient to determine the accurate diagnostic value of CE in the screen/surveillance of patients alone.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Esophageal varices; Esophageal capsule endoscopy; Sensitivity; Specificity