Diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus in University Hospital Centre Zagreb between 2012 and 2017

Abstract AIM To evaluate epidemiology and demographic data of patients diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus in University Hospital Centre Zagreb between January 2012 and December 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a 6 year period, upper GI endoscopy was performed in 19950 patients. We have analysed endoscopy and hospital database regarding pathohistological confirmation and demographic data of patients diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus . RESULTS Endoscopy suspicion of esophageal metaplasia (ESEM) was made 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, low grade dysplasia in 20 patients, high grade dysplasia in three and early cancer 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. CONCLUSION Barrett’s esophagus still has a low incidence in Croatia, even in a high volume tertiary referral Centre.