title: Risk factors for Barrett's esophagus.
abstract: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a well-recognized precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and is defined as ≥1 cm segment of salmon-colored mucosa extending above the gastroesophageal junction into the tubular esophagus with biopsy confirmation of metaplastic replacement of the normal squamous epithelium by intestinal-type columnar epithelium. The incidence of both BE and EAC has been increasing over the past few decades. As a result, preventing the development of BE by identifying and understanding its modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors may help reduce the incidence of EAC. Over the recent past, a tremendous amount of progress has been made towards improving our knowledge of risk factors and pathogenesis of BE. This article reviews the evidence for the various risk factors for developing BE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Zubin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Ari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garber
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Prashanthi N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Thota
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D001655:Bile Reflux / Q000150:complications; D015984:Causality; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: Barrett esophagus; gastroesophageal reflux; risk factors