Prevalence and risk factors of Barrett's esophagus in Korea.
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.
Kim
Jeong Hwan
JH
Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Rhee
Poong-Lyul
PL
Lee
Jun Haeng
JH
Lee
Hyuk
H
Choi
Yong Sung
YS
Son
Hee Jung
HJ
Kim
Jae J
JJ
Rhee
Jong Chul
JC
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