Barrett's esophagus: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis - UpToDate
INTRODUCTION Barrett's esophagus is the condition in which a metaplastic columnar epithelium that has both gastric and intestinal features replaces the stratified squamous epithelium that normally lines the distal esophagus. The condition develops as a consequence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and predisposes to the development of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. This topic will review the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus. The pathogenesis, malignant transformation, and management of Barrett's esophagus, including surveillance for adenocarcinoma, are discussed separately. (See "Barrett's esophagus: Pathogenesis and malignant transformation" and "Barrett's esophagus: Surveillance and management".) EPIDEMIOLOGY Prevalence — Barrett's esophagus is usually discovered during endoscopic examinations of middle-aged and older adults; the large majority of cases go unrecognized [1]. The mean age at diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus is approximately
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