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Selby Practice Recruits Nearly 200 to Oesophagus Condition Study

A GP practice in North Yorkshire has enjoyed strong recruitment to a study which tests a new way to diagnose a condition affecting the oesophagus (gullet), and can lead to cancer in some cases.

Posterngate Surgery, in Selby, is taking part in Barrett’s ESophagus Trial 3 (BEST3). The study assesses whether a pill which becomes a sponge while in the stomach, known as a cytosponge, is effective in increasing detection of Barrett’s oesophagus in patients with persistent heartburn symptoms.

Barrett's oesophagus is a condition where the cells of the oesophagus grow abnormally. The oesophagus is the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Barrett's oesophagus is not a cancer, but it can develop into cancer in a small number of people.

The team at Posterngate, which comprises partner Dr Michelle Czajkowski and nurses Chrissie Norris and Dianne Butterworth, has recruited 189 patients to the study.

Furthermore, the study is Chrissie and Dianne’s first since taking an interest in research delivery.

Dr Czajkowski said: “The team at the practice has done really well to recruit so many patients - it’s been a real example of teamwork and everyone has been very dedicated.

“It’s been a steep learning curve for Chrissie and Dianne, but they have coped really well.”

CRN Yorkshire and Humber’s senior community research nurse, Carla Bratten, has offered support to the team throughout recruitment.

Patients recruited to the study swallow a small capsule attached to a piece of string. The capsule takes about three to five minutes to dissolve into a sponge while in the stomach. A nurse then retrieves the sponge by the string, and as it makes its way back up the gullet, it collects cells for analysis. Experts then look at the sample under a microscope for signs of Barrett’s oesophagus.

The trial is funded by Cancer Research UK and is recruiting patients at a number of GP surgeries nationally.