The Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Correlates of Erosive Esophagitis and Barrett's Esophagus in Iranian Patients with Reflux Symptoms.
Background. Erosive esophagitis (EE) and Barrett's esophagus (BE) are the two important complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of and the risk factors for EE and BE in an Iranian group of patients with reflux symptoms. We also examined the relationship between reflux symptoms and endoscopic findings. Methods. A total of 736 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms were enrolled and all underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus was confirmed by pathologic examination and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was demonstrated by rapid urease test. Results. Two hundred eighty-three and 34 patients were found to have EE and BE, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that hiatal hernia (P < 0.001) and H. pylori infection (P < 0.002) were the two significantly related risk factors for esophagitis. Only age was related to BE, with BE patients being more likely to be older (P < 0.001) than others. Conclusions. Prevalence of EE and BE in Iranian reflux patients is similar to that seen in western countries. H. pylori infection and the presence of hiatal hernia may be strong risk factors for esophagitis as does older age for Barrett's esophagus. Finally, reflux symptoms have no significant relationship with endoscopic findings.
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1136746911, Iran.
Alireza
0000-0001-8900-7310
A
Sharifi
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1136746911, Iran.
Shahab
S
Dowlatshahi
Department of Pathology, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1136746911, Iran.
Hedieh
H
Moradi Tabriz
Chancellorship for Research, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht 4193893345, Iran.
Fatemeh
F
Salamat
Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, 10th Azar Alley, 5 Azar Boulevard, Gorgan 4917774979, Iran.
Omid
0000-0002-3229-0626
O
Sanaei