title: Alcohol consumption and the neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the developed countries, the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is increasing over recent decades. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to arrive at quantitative conclusions about the contribution of alcohol intakes and the progression of Barrett's esophagus.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive, systematic bibliographic search of medical literature published up to Oct 2013 was conducted to identify relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted for alcohol consumption on the Barrett's esophagus progression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 882 cases in 6,867 individuals from 14 observational studies were indemnified in this meta-analysis. The result of this current meta-analysis, including 10 case-control and 4 cohort studies, indicated that alcohol consumption was not associated with the neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus (RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.93-1.48). When stratified by the study designs, no significant association was detected in either high vs low group or ever vs never group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alcohol drinking is not associated with risk of neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus. Further well designed studies are needed in this area.
authors.affiliation: The department of stomatology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Zhifeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: The department of intensive care unit, Xiasha Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Haibo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Da
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009385:Neoplastic Processes; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult