Meta-Analysis
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World J Meta-Anal. Nov 26, 2014; 2(4): 204-211
Published online Nov 26, 2014. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v2.i4.204
Alcohol consumption and the risk of Barrett’s esophagus: A meta-analysis
Cong Dai, Wei-Xin Liu, Ke Wang, Hong-Kun Jiang, Min Jiang, Ming-Jun Sun
Cong Dai, Wei-Xin Liu, Min Jiang, Ming-Jun Sun, Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Ke Wang, Department of Cadre Ward V, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Hong-Kun Jiang, Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Dai C, Wang K and Liu WX carried out the literature search, selection, validity assessment, data abstraction and data analysis; Dai C, Liu WX and Jiang M wrote the paper and incorporated the comments from other authors and peer reviewers; Dai C and Sun MJ had the original idea for the paper, formulated the protocol and contributed to data abstraction and analysis; all authors reviewed and approved the final draft of the paper.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81300273 and 81300130
Correspondence to: Ming-Jun Sun, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, 92 Bei’er Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China. 273159833@qq.com
Telephone: +86-24-23414369 Fax: +86-24-23414369
Received: July 14, 2014
Revised: November 1, 2014
Accepted: November 7, 2014
Published online: November 26, 2014
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the possible association between alcohol consumption and Barrett’s esophagus (BE).

METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search of multiple online electronic databases. Inclusion criteria entailed studies about alcohol and BE. Meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate odds ratio (OR) and 95%CIs for the association between alcohol consumption and BE.

RESULTS: Twenty studies comprising 4758 patients with BE were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of BE in patients with alcohol consumption was increased compared with control groups (OR = 1.01; 95%CI: 1.00-1.02), especially in case-control and cohort, European and Asian, and hospital studies, but there was a decreased risk of BE associated with alcohol consumption from American studies (OR = 0.86; 95%CI: 0.77-0.96). At the same time, there was no significant association between BE and alcohol consumption in community studies (OR = 0.97; 95%CI: 0.84-1.12) and the type of alcohol (wine, beer and liquor) studies.

CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis found that alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of BE, especially for European and Asian drinkers.

Keywords: Barrett’s esophagus, Alcohol consumption, Risk factors, Meta-analysis

Core tip: Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is an acquired condition in which specialized columnar epithelium replaces the usual stratified squamous epithelium lining the esophagus. Some studies have investigated the association between alcohol consumption and BE, with conflicting conclusions. We performed a meta-analysis of the possible association between alcohol consumption and BE and found that alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of BE, especially for European and Asian drinkers.