Barrett's esophagus and Helicobacter pylori

Lifestyles of Japanese, including eating habits, have been similar to those in Western countries, which might be related to an increase in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Japan. Barrett's esophagus is generally accepted as a complication of chronic and severe GERD. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a pathogen that is associated with atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and so on. The relationship between H. pylori and GERD+ Barrett's esophagus is controversial. H. pylori eradication therapy may increase the risk for the development of GERD, which may lead to increase a risk factor of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. This review gives the outline regarding GERD and the relation between Barrett's esophagus and H. pylori infection.