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Results from autopsy studies suggest that the prevalence of Barrett esophagus (BE) in the general population is about 1%; BE prevalence in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been reported to be 12%. To further elucidate the prevalence of BE in the general population, researchers performed upper endoscopy screening in 961 patients (mean age, 59; 60% male; 78% white) who were undergoing screening colonoscopy and who had never before undergone upper endoscopy. Both upper and lower endoscopies were performed on the same day.
The overall prevalence of BE (confirmed by endoscopic and histologic standards) was 6.8% (including 1.2% long-segment BE). Validated questionnaires were completed before endoscopy: A history…