Abstract:Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of magnetically controlled capsule gastroscope in elderly patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods A total of 102 patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding who underwent magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy (MCCG) in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from October 2020 to September 2022 were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to age: 38 patients in group A (≤65 years old) and 64 patients in group B (> 65 years old). The case data, changes of vital signs, detection of lesions and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared. Results There were significant differences in combined diseases between group A and group B. The stomach examination time in group A was significantly shorter than that of group B (15.49±2.04 min VS 16.61±2.02 min, t=-2.685, P=0.009). There was significant difference in small intestine examination time between the two groups (331.69±14.96 min VS 337.83±14.28 min, t=-1.229, P=0.227). The incidence of adverse reactions in group A was significantly lower than that in group B [0.00%(0/38) VS 6.25%(4/64), χ2=6.186, P=0.013]. The changes of vital signs before, during and after examination were not statistically different. The detection rates of upper gastrointestinal lesions were 92.1% (35/38) and 98.4% (63/64), respectively. The positive rates of upper gastrointestinal bleeding under MCCG were 60.0% (21/35) and 50.8% (32/63), respectively. Patients with unexplained upper gastrointestinal bleeding under MCCG received small intestine examination. The detection rates of small intestinal lesions by small intestine examination were 84.6% (11/13) and 91.7% (22/24), respectively. Conclusion MCCG demonstrates excellent diagnostic accuracy in elderly patients with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, it is safe and suitable for use in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, allowing for concurrent small intestine examination.