Completion rate and diagnostic yield of small-bowel capsule endoscopy: 1 vs. 2 frames per second

Background and study aims: Currently, the default frame rate for capsule endoscopy is usually set at 2 frames per second (fps). We postulated that setting the frame rate at 1 fps for the whole procedure would save battery life and increase the completion rate without compromising the diagnostic yield. The aim of this study was to compare the completion rates and diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy performed with frame rates of 1 fps and 2 fps.

Patients and methods: The OMOM capsule endoscopy system was used. The procedure was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and the frame rate was set at 1 fps in one group and at 2 fps in the other group for the whole procedure. The completion rate, total operating time, and diagnostic yield in the two groups were measured and compared.

Results: A total of 107 patients were randomized to either the 1 fps group (n = 54) or the 2 fps group (control, n = 53). There was no significant difference in sex, age, indications, and gastric transit time between the two groups. The mean total operating time was significantly longer in the 1 fps group than in the 2 fps group (758 ± 79 minutes vs. 456 ± 67 minutes, P < 0.001). The completion rate and diagnostic yield were significantly higher in the 1 fps group than in the 2 fps group (96.2 % vs. 70.6 %, P < 0.001; 40.7 % vs. 18.9 %, P = 0.013, respectively).

Conclusions: Setting the frame rate of the capsule endoscope at 1 fps for the whole procedure increases the completion rate by prolonging the capsule’s total operating time; the diagnostic yield does seem to be at least as high as with 2 fps.

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1 Dr. C. Xu and Dr. Z. Liao contributed equally to this work.