Celtic Capsule wins first prize at Irish Society of Gastroenterology

January 6, 2026

Celtic capsule is a study ran by our BHSCT GI team through clinics out of Musgrave Park Hospital from December 2024 to March 2025. Nationally, patients were recruited from 3 hospital sites in Wales and 2 in Northern Ireland.

The capsule sponge is a non-endoscopic oesophageal cell collection device. Capsule sponge testing combined with immunohistochemical biomarkers can prioritise patients with Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) and gastro-oesophageal reflux for esophagogastroduodenoscopy(OGD).
This study aimed to evaluate whether the capsule sponge could be used in Wales & Northern Ireland to triage patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux or Barretts oesophagus  for OGD, and to assess feedback from patients.

Pathology samples were processed centrally, examined for TFF3 (suggestive of intestinal metaplasia), as well as p53 and atypia (high risk findings associated with dysplasia). Patient feedback was collected at the clinics, and feedback forms were sent to patients.

Results and findings showed, the capsule sponge could successfully triage patients under BO surveillance or with reflux for OGD in Wales and Northern Ireland, with positive feedback from patients. This supports future integration of the capsule sponge into clinical pathways in these regions, with potential transferability to other healthcare systems internationally.

The study was presented at both the UEG 2025 week in Berlin and awarded First Prize at the winter 2025 meeting of the Irish Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) for best oral abstract.

Special thanks –

Dr Inder Mainie Consultant Gastroenterologist BHSCT- Principal Investigator
Dr Philip Hall, Consultant Gastroenterologist BHSCT- Sub Investigator
Clinical Research Nurse NICRN – Fiona Gregg & Nicola Milligan
Research Administrators NICRN- Andrew Sloane & Dermot Ryder
Special thanks to BOSH Manager – Sr Hannah Stockman
NICRN Management team