Faculty Collaboration Database

Discrete ulcers in Barrett's esophagus: relationship to acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy 1998 May;30(4):367-70

Date

08/05/1998

Pubmed ID

9689510

DOI

10.1055/s-2007-1001284

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0031903082 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   6 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Although discrete ulcers are a recognized complication of Barrett's esophagus, it is not clear how common discrete ulceration is in Barrett's mucosa. Furthermore, the relationship of gastrointestinal hemorrhage to Barrett's ulceration is unknown. These issues were investigated in this paper.

METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with histologically confirmed Barrett's esophagus were monitored by endoscopic surveillance over 1 to 11 years (mean 3.3 years). The incidence of a Barrett's ulcer was noted and its site recorded. The frequency of gastrointestinal hemorrhage at diagnosis or on follow-up was documented and the source of the bleeding was identified.

RESULTS: Discrete ulcers were identified in 36 of 78 patients (46%) at some time over the period of follow-up. Eight patients had two or more ulcers. Most of ulcers were in the distal esophagus; 86% of these were within 3 cm of the anatomic gastroesophageal junction. Nineteen patients (24%) either presented with active gastrointestinal bleeding or had bleeding at follow-up. In 15 of the 19 patients with bleeding (79%) a discrete Barrett's ulcer was the source of the hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS: Ulceration is a common complication of Barrett's esophagus. These ulcers are usually located close the gastroesophageal junction and have a high incidence of bleeding.

Author List

Murphy PP, Ballinger PJ, Massey BT, Shaker R, Hogan WJ

Authors

Benson T. Massey MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Reza Shaker MD Assoc Provost, Sr Assoc Dean, Ctr Dir, Chief, Prof in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Barrett Esophagus
Data Collection
Esophagoscopy
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Humans
Incidence
Male
Middle Aged
Peptic Ulcer
Prognosis
Risk Factors