DIAGNOSIS OF BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS IN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTRE ZAGREB BETWEEN 2012 AND 2017

Aims:

To evaluate basic epidemiology situation and demographic data of patients diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus in University Hospital Centre Zagreb between January 2012 and December 2017.

Methods:

In a 6 year period, upper GI endoscopy was obtained in 19,950 patients. We have analysed our endoscopy data base and hospital data system regarding pathohistological diagnosis and demographic data of patients diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus as well.

Results:

Endoscopy suspicion of esophageal metaplasia (ESEM) was set in 592 patients. Pathohistological confirmation of Barrett's esophagus was established in 163 patients (0,8%). Intestinal metaplasia without dysplasia was diagnosed in 137 patients, confirmed low grade dysplasia in 20 patients, high grade dysplasia in three and early cancer in Barrett esophagus in three patients.

In the group of 163 patients with confirmed Barrett's esophagus 116 (71%) were male and 47 (29%) were female with median age of 58 years. Hiatal hernia was observed during endoscopy in 92 patients (56%).

Patients with high grade dysplasia and early cancer have been treated with bandEMR and then radio frequency ablation (RFA), and all the patients with confirmed low grade dysplasia have been treated with RFA.

Conclusions:

Barrett's esophagus still has a low incidence in Croatia, even in a high volume tertiary referral Centre.