The impact of lifestyle on Barrett\u27s Esophagus: A precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Barrett\u27s Esophagus (BE), particularly long-segment Barrett\u27s Esophagus, and the age of onset of Barrett\u27s Esophagus are risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, it is unknown if lifestyle factors such as alcohol abuse, tobacco use, weight gains that increase the risk of developing BE and esophageal adenocarcinoma affect its length or age at diagnosis. METHODS: In a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis, we analyzed 158 newly diagnosed adult BE patients at a 600-bed tertiary care center in the United States from 1999 to 2008. We constructed generalized linear models for the outcomes of BE length and age at diagnosis. Predictors of interest included current or prior alcohol abuse, tobacco use, weight gain over the last 5 years, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: 71 (45%) had length≥3cm. Barrett\u27s Esophagus length was positively correlated with hiatal hernia length (r=0.67, p CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle factors did not appear to affect Barrett\u27s Esophagus length but weight gains, smoking, and male gender were associated with a diagnosis at a significantly younger age