Michael McHale , 2025-05-02 07:30:00
Irish researchers found that 98 per cent of patients who were given peppermint oil with water were able to complete a capsule endoscopy
An oral peppermint oil solution may improve the effectiveness of capsule endoscopies of the small intestine, according to a new Irish study.
Capsule endoscopy is considered the gold standard diagnostic procedure to examine the small intestine. The procedure involves the patient swallowing a tiny camera, which then travels through the digestive system – its movement recorded on a device worn around the patient’s waist.
However, for some patients with medical issues like diabetes and hypertension, the tiny camera can get held up in certain places such as the stomach, which causes it to run out of battery before the capsule has seen all the small intestine.
A study carried out at Tallaght University Hospital identified 132 patients who faced a risk of the capsule endoscopy leading to incomplete results due to existing medical conditions.
Of these, 57 were given a peppermint oil solution as they swallowed the camera. The other 75 were monitored during their endoscopy and intravenously given a prokinetic agent – a medication that helps move food along in the gastrointestinal tract.
The study found that 94.7 per cent of patients who were given the peppermint oil solution completed the endoscopy, compared to 90.7 per cent in the real-time monitoring group.
The speed at which the camera moved from the stomach to the small intestine was faster for the peppermint oil group, with this taking an average of 42.3 minutes for them compared to 57 minutes in the monitoring group.
Dr Fintan O’Hara
However, the speed the camera travelled through the small intestine was slower for patients who had taken the solution, with this taking just over four hours for them compared to three hours and 13 minutes in the monitoring group.
The research was led by Dr Fintan O’Hara and comes on the back of advances made in the rollout of capsule endoscopy by fellow TUH consultant gastroenterologist Prof Deirdre Mc Namara.
Capsule endoscopy is a pivotal diagnostic tool for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, yet incomplete imaging of the small intestine remains a significant issue, especially in patients with known risk factors.
The research found that this new protocol is safe, effective, and cost-neutral, and will allow more patients to successfully benefit from this innovative diagnostic procedure. The team behind it have recommended that further studies be carried out to refine the protocol and enhance its clinical use.
The study was recently published in the journal Endoscopy International Open.
