Utility of Endoscopy for Diagnosis of Barrett in a Non-Western Society: Endoscopic and Histopathologic Correlation

Barrett esophagus is metaplastic transformation of esophageal squamous epithelium to columnar cells. A total of 1370 patients who had undergone upper endoscopy because of dyspeptic complaints were enrolled in the study. Age, sex, alcohol and smoking habits, body mass index, type and duration of symptoms (heartburn, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting), and use of proton pump inhibitors were evaluated in all patients and recorded on standardized forms. Patients were grouped as normal esophagogastric junction, long-segment Barrett esophagus, and short-segment Barrett. Biopsies were taken from at least 6 points and examined histopathologically. Of the 1370 patients involved in the study, 748 (54.6%) were female and 622 (45.4%) were male. Mean age was 47.2 ± 15.30 years. Short-segment Barrett esophagus was detected in 16 patients, and long-segment Barrett was detected in 11 patients. Although Barrett esophagus was detected in 11 cases that were suspected to have Barrett during endoscopy, histopathology was negative in all cases that were not suspected to have Barrett. Barrett esophagus prevalence was significantly higher in people who used alcohol and tobacco and who had hiatal hernia. Although Barrett esophagus was detected in 40% of cases that were suspected to have Barrett during endoscopy, histopathology was negative in all cases that were not suspected to have Barrett. Barrett was detected in 40.7% of cases that were suspected to have Barrett during endoscopy; histopathology was negative in all cases that were not suspected to have Barrett. Senstivity of endoscopy is questionable in detection of short-segment Barrett.