Exploring the Incidence and Associated Risk Factors of Barrett’s Esophagus in African Americans: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) in African Americans (AA) is uncertain. However, several potential risk factors, includes family history, male sex, ethnicity, chronic heartburn and acid reflux, age over 60, current or past smoking, and obesity are associated with BE. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of BE in AA patients who underwent Esophageal Gastro Endoscopy (EGD). METHODS: Medical and demographic data of 1,253 AA patients with various symptoms, including BE, Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), esophageal squamous adenocarcinoma (SCC), hiatal hernia, H. pylori infection, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Gastritis, and esophagitis, were collected from January 2004 to December 2014 at Howard University Hospital. RESULTS: Among the 1,253 patients, the median age was 61 and 49% were male out of the total. The frequencies of EAC (p= 0.05), and SCC (p= 0.002) were significantly high in males, along with SCC frequency significantly increased with older age (p<0.001). Furthermore, esophageal polyps with hiatal hernia (p=0.008) and H. pylori (p=<0.001) were found to be associated with esophagitis, and its presence may contribute to the development of BE. CONCLUSION: The findings highlighted the high prevalence of GERD symptoms and pathologic gastritis along with EAC was less common than SCC and both types of esophageal cancer were associated with male gender and older age whereas, H. pylori infection was identified as a risk factor for pathologic gastritis in AA. Overall data emphasize the need for extensive research, increased awareness, diagnosis, and management of GERD, gastritis, and related conditions to uncover the underlying mechanisms and factors contributing to these conditions in the AA population.