title: Lower esophagus in dyspeptic Iranian patients: a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastroesophageal junction cancer has increased over time in Western countries. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is considered to be a major risk factor. We prospectively studied the prevalence of clinical, histological and endoscopic GERD, and premalignant changes among dyspeptic Iranian patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Consenting patients referred for UGIE to our clinic were enrolled. Their symptoms were recorded, UGIE was conducted, and biopsies from all suspicious lesions and across the Z-line were taken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 344 enrolled patients, 269 (135 women, 134 men; mean age: 41.6 years) were evaluated. One major GERD symptom (heart burn, acid regurgitation, dysphagia and chest pain) was seen in 209 (77.6%) patients, and 207 patients (76.1%) had endoscopic esophagitis. Thirteen patients (5%) had specialized intestinal metaplasia at the gastrointestinal junction (SIM-GEJ), and three had glandular dysplasia (two low-grade, one high-grade). No symptom could predict the presence of histological or endoscopic findings. Patients with dysplasia had more advanced degrees of endoscopic esophagitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gastroesophageal reflux disease is common among Iranian patients referred for diagnostic endoscopy. The prevalence of SIM-GEJ among this population was comparable to that reported in Western countries.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. sianm@ams.ac.ir
authors.forename: Siavosh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nasseri-Moghaddam
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malekzadeh
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sotoudeh
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tavangar
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Azimi
authors.forename: Amir-Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sohrabpour
authors.forename: Pardis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mostadjabi
authors.forename: Hosnieh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fathi
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minapoor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001037:Aphasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic