title: The association between alcohol and reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alcohol consumption may increase gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, cause damage to the esophageal mucosa, and/or promote carcinogenesis. However, reports about the association between alcohol and reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma are conflicting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information relating to alcohol consumption, at age 21 and 5 years before the interview date, was collected from 230 reflux esophagitis, 224 Barrett's esophagus, and 227 esophageal adenocarcinoma patients and 260 frequency-matched population controls. Logistic regression analyses were used to compare alcohol consumption in the 3 case groups to controls with adjustment for potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Population controls reporting gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were less likely than controls without symptoms to drink alcohol 5 years before the interview date (odds ratio [OR], 0.44, 0.20-0.99). No associations were observed between total alcohol consumption 5 years before the interview date and reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, or esophageal adenocarcinoma (OR, 1.26, 0.78-2.05; OR, 0.72, 0.43-1.21; and OR, 0.75, 0.46-1.22, respectively). Wine was inversely associated with reflux esophagitis (OR, 0.45, 0.27-0.75). Total alcohol consumption at age 21 years was significantly associated with reflux esophagitis (OR, 2.24, 1.35-3.74) but not with Barrett's esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma (OR, 1.06, 0.63-1.79 and OR, 1.27, 0.77-2.10, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alcohol consumption in early adulthood may lead to the development of reflux esophagitis. More recent alcohol consumption does not appear to confer any increased risk of reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, or esophageal adenocarcinoma. In fact, wine consumption may reduce the risk of these 3 esophageal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Public Health, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Lesley A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Marie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cantwell
authors.forename: R G Peter
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Seamus J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Heather R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGuigan
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Comber
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Liam J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult