National Registry for Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients With Barrett's Esophagus

For treatment of Barrett's Esophagus (BE), a condition considered as a complication of the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was introduced as a new method over 10 years ago. This method is already established in treating low- and high-grade dysplastic BE, but there is also a recommendation in therapy of non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (NDBE), if patients provide a increased cancer risk profile, such as long history of GERD (over 10 years), large hiatal hernia (over 3cm), esophagitis, history of BE with dysplasia or positive family history for gastrointestinal cancer.

In Austria 1 - 3% of the population is estimated to develop BE. The treatment numbers in each specialized centers therefore is low. To guarantee a better and more potent data analysis, the establishment of a nationwide registry is crucial. Furthermore this is essential to raise quality assurance and improve outcome and patients will benefit eventually.

The aim is the participation of about 10 departments, which are all qualified centers and experts, who offer RFA as a treatment for BE. Thus data can be collected and interpreted more exact due to the increased number of treated patients. For the purpose of data collection a structured electronic form will be used. This will further improve treatment documentation and quality.

Documentation will be performed in participating local centers. High priority is patient safety and data de-personalization. Data administration and data input should be performed through qualified medical personal via an online documentation platform. Original patients charts are archived at each center and data de-personalization is guaranteed via consecutive numbering when submitted to the study center.

Therefore protection of privacy of participating patients can be assured.