AUGIS Benign Database version 1.0

  • Research type

    Research Database

  • IRAS ID

    360804

  • Contact name

    Sheraz R Markar

  • Contact email

    sheraz.markar@nds.ox.ac.uk

  • Research summary

    AUGIS Benign Registry

  • REC name

    South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    26/SC/0094

  • Date of REC Opinion

    6 May 2026

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion

  • Data collection arrangements

    The AUGIS Benign Registry will collect data from patients undergoing benign (non-cancer) upper gastrointestinal
    procedures (procedures on the gullet or stomach) in the UK. A REDCap database system based out of the Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU), University of Oxford will be adopted to support the online interface. Registered clinicians across the UK that perform benign oesophago-gastric surgery will be invited to participate in data collection.

    Data collected electronically will include patient baseline information, co-morbidities, pre-operative investigations, and post-surgical information such as procedure performed, post-operative complications and mortality. Patient reported outcome measures will also be captured using 4 different quality-of-life questionnaires based on the type of surgical procedure undertaken. Quality of life data will be captured via emails sent to participants at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months following surgery, then at 6 monthly intervals for up to 5 years.

    All data will be stored safely on the REDCap with access limited to the minimum required people to maintain the database, however registered clinicians will have access to their own submitted data.

    Once included in the database, participants will be allocated a unique database identification number. Participant email address and telephone number will be stored separately on the REDCap database.

    Data governance plays a crucial role in this national project. Ensuring that all data is secure and fully compliant with data protection laws and regulation is a priority.

  • Research programme

    The aim of the AUGIS Benign Registry is to create an accessible, electronic database of patients undergoing non-cancer procedures on their gullet or stomach in the UK. These surgeries, known as benign upper GI procedures, address conditions such as achalasia (a swallowing disorder), para-oesophageal hernias (a condition in which a portion of the stomach or other organs can migrate from the abdomen to the chest), and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (severe acid reflux). We aim to develop a nationwide database to better understand which operations are being performed, how and what the experience and outcomes are for these patients. The AUGIS Benign Registry will be a free secure online database for all General Medical Council (GMC) registered surgeons performing benign upper GI surgery in the UK. All surgical practitioners will be able to create an account on the platform, provided they are members of BBUGSS or AUGIS. Any external research group can apply to access data stored on the registry in order to undertake research- written applications will be reviewed by an AUGIS Benign Registry Data Management Group before the release of any data is authorised. This research database is unique in that it will be the only national database collecting clinical and health related data for patients with benign upper gastrointestinal diseases requiring surgery. Future research using this database may include obtaining data on the longitudinal changes in patient-reported outcomes, which are captured using electronic questionnaires.

  • Research database title

    AUGIS Benign Registry

  • Establishment organisation

    Surgical Intervention Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford

  • Establishment organisation address

    Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences

    John Radcliffe Hospital

    Oxford

    OX39DU