Prevalence and clinical characteristics of Barrett's esophagus in a Chinese general population.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of Barrett esophagus (BE) remains elusive in the general populations.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of BE in a Chinese general population.


METHODS
Between June 2003 and December 2006, consecutive subjects were evaluated via upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during a routine health examination. Patients were evaluated for any abnormalities, including endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia (ESEM) and erosive esophagitis (EE). Biopsies were attained from patients with ESEM to confirm a diagnosis of BE. The demographic data and endoscopic findings were retrospectively analyzed.


RESULTS
Of the 19,812 endoscopies performed, 56 patients (0.28%) were diagnosed with ESEM and 3129 patients (15.7%) with EE. Twelve of the 56 patients diagnosed with ESEM (0.06% of the total number of patients who underwent endoscopy) were confirmed to have BE after histologic analysis of the biopsies. Patients with BE were older than patients without BE (61.6 vs. 51.7 y), and only one of the 12 patients diagnosed with BE (8.3%) reported typical gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. A majority of the BE patients were categorized as short-segment BE (91.7%) and concomitant EE was found in 4 (33.3%). Smoking, alcohol, and metabolic disorders seemed to be associated with the presence of BE and EE.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of BE in a Chinese general population was lower than that in other reported studies, particularly in comparison with the studies originating from Western countries. Patients with advanced age and metabolic disorders are risk factors for developing BE.
Tseng
Ping-Huei
PH
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Yun-Lin Branch, Yun-Lin County, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lee
Yi-Chia
YC
Chiu
Han-Mo
HM
Huang
Shih-Pei
SP
Liao
Wei-Chih
WC
Chen
Chien-Chuan
CC
Wang
Hsiu-Po
HP
Wu
Ming-Shiang
MS
Lin
Jaw-Town
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult