A critical review of the diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus: the AGA Chicago Workshop

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus (BE) are controversial. We conducted a critical review of the literature in BE to provide guidance on clinically relevant issues. METHODS: A multidisciplinary group of 18 participants evaluated the strength and the grade of evidence for 42 statements pertaining to the diagnosis, screening, surveillance, and treatment of BE. Each member anonymously voted to accept or reject statements based on the strength of evidence and his own expert opinion. RESULTS: There was strong consensus on most statements for acceptance or rejection. Members rejected statements that screening for BE has been shown to improve mortality from adenocarcinoma or to be cost-effective. Contrary to published clinical guidelines, they did not feel that screening should be recommended for adults over age 50, regardless of age or duration of heartburn. Members were divided on whether surveillance prolongs survival, although the majority agreed that it detects curable neoplasia and can be cost-effective in selected patients. The majority did not feel that acid-reduction therapy reduces the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma but did agree that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are associated with a cancer risk reduction and are of promising (but unproven) value. Participants rejected the notion that mucosal ablation with acid suppression prevents adenocarcinoma in BE but agreed that this may be an appropriate strategy in a subgroup of patients with high-grade dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this review of BE, the opinions of workshop members on issues pertaining to screening and surveillance are at variance with published clinical guidelines.     

内镜电凝加PPI治疗岛型及舌型SSBE疗效观察

目的观察内镜下高频电凝加PPI治疗岛型及舌型SSBE的近中期疗效及安全性。方法经内镜及病理检查确诊的岛型及舌型SSBE病例39例,随机及自愿结合分组。23例治疗组患者在内镜下对岛型及舌型SSBE病灶施行高频电凝治疗,同时口服雷贝拉唑,20mg,bid,疗程4周。16例对照组患者则单纯予雷贝拉唑口服,20mg,bid,持续抑酸治疗。分别于治疗后第3个月、6个月、12个月、18个月及24个月行胃镜随访,对照原内镜图片,观察各组岛型及舌型SSBE病灶的变化,并在原病灶处取活组织检查其病理改变。对治疗组中复查内镜未达显效者,再次行镜下电凝治疗并予雷贝拉唑口服,20mg,bid,疗程4周。结果治疗组随访病例平均显效率87.6%,总有效率100%;未出现出血、穿孔及食管狭窄等并发症。对照组平均显效率6.6%,平均总有效率26.5%,平均无效率73.5%。结论经内镜下高频电凝加PPI治疗岛型及舌型SSBE安全,近期疗效明显。