title: Prevalence and risk factors of Barrett's esophagus in Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Barrett's esophagus (BE) is diagnosed when specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) is detected histologically in endoscopically suspected columnar-lined esophagus (CLE). It is a premalignant condition and plays a pivotal role in the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It has traditionally been believed to affect Asians less frequently. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of BE and possible associated risk factors in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 70 103 patients who had undergone their first upper endoscopies was performed using computerized medical records. Of these, 696 (1%) patients had suspected CLE. After screening by telephone, 480 were enrolled. The clinical and endoscopic characteristics of histologically identifiable BE and endoscopically suspected CLE not confirmed by biopsy (suspected CLE without SIM) were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Barrett's esophagus was present in 151 patients (0.22%) with a mean age of 53.8 +/- 10.9 years. BE was more commonly found in men. BE was associated with a set of features distinct from suspected CLE without SIM; older age, greater predominance of male sex, more frequent smoking history, and more frequent acid regurgitation symptom.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Barrett's esophagus remains less common in Korea than in Western countries. Old age, male sex, smoking, and acid regurgitation symptom were significant risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Poong-Lyul
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Jun Haeng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyuk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yong Sung
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hee Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Jae J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong Chul
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rhee
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology