Study of intestinal metaplasia in Barrett’s esophagus

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors predisposing patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE) to intestinal metaplasia (IM). METHODS: Forty-seven BE patients were studied. By using endoscopic and histological methods, esophageal IM was diagnosed in 36 patients, who were compared with 11 patients without IM in regard to their age, the endoscopic appearance of the esophagus and esophageal motility. RESULTS: The patients’ age and endoscopic features of the esophagus, but not esophageal motor function and grade of macroscopic esophagitis, were risk factors for the development of IM. CONCLUSIONS: Patient age and endoscopic features of the BE mucosa are associated with IM and may be prognostic factors for BE.