1146.1 – Capsule Endoscopy for the Diagnosis of Suspected Small Bowel Crohn Disease (resubmission)

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Capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic test, conducted in an outpatient setting, in which the gastrointestinal system is visualised via a camera inside an ingested capsule. The current application requests an extension to the current MBS listing for capsule endoscopy to also include the diagnosis of suspected small bowel Crohn disease.

Crohn disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract, but in cases of small bowel involvement, typically affects the terminal ileum. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, or weight loss, but may also cause complications outside the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, and inflammation of the eye, tiredness, and lack of concentration. Crohn disease is believed to be caused by interactions between environmental, immunological and bacterial factors in genetically susceptible individuals. These factors result in a chronic inflammatory disorder, in which the body’s immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract possibly directed at microbial antigens.

• PASC meeting: 18 April 2013
• ESC meeting: 10 - 11 October 2013
• MSAC meeting: 28 November 2013

Note: submission report withheld at the request of the applicant.