Variation in small bowel transit time on capsule endoscopy

Background: Small bowel motility remains inadequately understood because of the complex and various functions as well as its anatomical position. The aimed of the study was to investigate the small bowel transit time (SBTT) of capsule endoscopy (CE) and to analyze the clinical factors affecting SBTT. Methods: SBTT was analyzed in patients who underwent small bowel CE. Factors contributing to SBTT and CE retention were investigated. Results: Among 397 patients enrolled in this study, 336 (84.6%) completed CE. The mean SBTT (± standard deviation) was 282.1±132.2 min. According to the univariate and multivariate analyses, aging and small bowel stenosis extended SBTT. In 38 patients who underwent multiple CE studies, considerable variation in SBTT were observed [mean of standard deviations (SDs) =97.97 min, SD of the SDs =81.99 min]. CE retention was observed in 61 patients (13.3%), and it was statistically associated to small bowel lesion. Conclusions: Aging and small bowel stenosis were associated with longer SBTT. Furthermore, SBTT analyzed by CE should be interpreted carefully considering the intra-individual differences in SBTT.