Investigation into the use of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of watermelon stomach

ISRCTN ISRCTN13565602
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13565602
Secondary identifying numbers Version 1
Submission date
06/06/2016
Registration date
14/06/2016
Last edited
07/09/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), also known as watermelon stomach, is a rare condition in which the lining of the stomach bleeds, giving it the characteristic stripes of a watermelon. The exact cause is unknown, however it is associated with the dilation (widening) of the small blood vessels in the last part of the stomach (antrum), which lead to bleeding. This often causes severe anaemia (low red blood cell count or iron levels), which requires treatment with iron supplements or blood transfusions. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure in which the affected tissue (in this case, the dilated blood vessels) are destroyed using heat. The procedure is guided by an endoscope (camera on the end of a thin, flexible tube that is passed into the stomach via the mouth), and targets the affected blood vessels at the bottom of the stomach. The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of the endoscopic RFA procedure in the treatment of GAVE.

Who can participate?
Adult patients with GAVE that has led to anaemia, who are undergoing endoscopic RFA treatment.

What does the study involve?
All participants undergo RFA treatment for their GAVE. Immediately before the treatment and six months later, participants complete a questionnaire about their quality of life. 6-8 weeks after the RFA treatment, part of standard care given involves a follow up endoscopy to assess how well the treatment has worked. The results of this are recorded by the investigators. Over the 6 months after treatment, the participant’s medical notes are reviewed in order to record the amount of blood transfusions they have had as well as their red blood cell count (sign of anaemia).

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits or risks involved with participating in this study.

Where is the study run from?
University College Hospital (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2015 to March 2018

Who is funding the study?
University College London (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Rehan Haidry

Contact information

Dr Rehan Haidry
Public

University College Hospital
235 Euston Road
London
NW1 2BU
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-4660-4382

Study information

Study designLongitudinal case-control study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCase-control study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleRadioFrequency Ablation for Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia
Study acronymRFA for GAVE
Study objectivesThe aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE).
Ethics approval(s)NRES Committee London - Central, 03/02/2016, ref: 16/LO/0149
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedGastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE)
InterventionAll patients receive radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) coupled with standard care. The usual care pathway involves regular blood tests to assess the requirement for blood transfusions or iron supplementation both before and after any endoscopic intervention. Following a treatment with RFA, a repeat endoscopy is performed 6-8 weeks later to assess a response to treatment and apply further therapy should it be indicated. Should it be necessary to repeat RFA then a further endoscopy 6-8 weeks later may also be performed.

In this study, immediately before and six months after undergoing RFA, participants complete a quality of life questionnaire. In addition, over the six months following treatment, transfusion requirements and haemoglobin concentrations of patients and data from any follow up endoscopies is collected through medical note review in order to assess the effectiveness of the treatment pathway.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measure1. Quality of life is measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - fatigue scale (FACIT-F) questionnaire at baseline (pre-RFA) and 6 months post-RFA
2. Number of red blood cell (RBC) packs transfused (transfusion requirement), parenteral iron requirements and haemoglobin concentrations (g/dL) are measured by reviewing patient notes and blood tests at baseline (pre-RFA) and 6 months post-RFA
Secondary outcome measures1. Number of endoscopy treatment sessions are measured by reviewing patient notes at baseline (pre-RFA) and 6 months post-RFA
2. Percentage surface regression in macroscopically evident GAVE is measured during endoscopy at any follow up endoscopy in the 6 months post-treatment
Overall study start date01/09/2015
Completion date01/03/2018

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants30
Total final enrolment20
Key inclusion criteria1. Existing diagnosis of GAVE that has resulted in anaemia requiring either intravenous iron replacement or blood transfusion
2. Undergoing endoscopic treatment with RFA
3. Aged 18 years and over
Key exclusion criteria1. Active malignancy
2. Anaemia due to other cause such as coeliac disease, small bowel pathology or haematological disease
3. Pregnancy
Date of first enrolment01/09/2015
Date of final enrolment01/09/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

University College Hospital
235 Euston Road
Fitzrovia, London
London
NW1 2BU
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University College London
University/education

Joint Research Office
Gower Street
London
WC1E 6BT
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02jx3x895

Funders

Funder type

University/education

University College London
Government organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
University College London in United Kingdom, Collegium Universitatis Londinensis, UCL
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/09/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a Gastroenterology peer reviewed related journal.
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/03/2019 07/09/2020 Yes No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

07/09/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.