Abstract:Objective To explore the detection value of capsule endoscopy (CE) for small bowel disease and assess its security. Methods Clinical data of 142 patients received CE were analyzed retrospectively, symptomatic group (124 cases) and control group (18 cases). Run-time of CE, intestinal cleanliness, lesion detection and complications were analyzed, then assess CE detection value for intestinal disease and its security. Results All the patients have not shown swallowed trachea, capsule retention and other complications. The average running time is 498.3 min, including stomach average running time 35.6 min and small intestine average running time 273.6 min. The overall detection rate for intestinal diseases is 57.14 % and detection rate in symptomatic group is 59.68 %, detection rate in control group was 37.50%. The intestinal disease detection rate for symptomatic group is significantly higher than control group, which the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In symptomatic group, the detection rate of CE in detection for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea patients, abdominal distension, weight loss/anorexia patients, elevated tumor markers and abnormal bowel movements cases were 78.38 %, 52.08 %, 58.33 %, 60.00 %, 40.00 %, 50.00 % and 33.33 % respectively. Conclusions CE is a safe and effective diagnostic tool for intestinal diseases and it has a high detection value for intestinal diseases. The diagnostic value of chronic abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and other non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms should be further assessed.