[Risk factors and progression predictors of Barrett´s oesophagus to adenocarcinoma]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a quite common disorder, and the condition affects some 40 per cent of population in the course of their lifetime. Fortunately, about half of the patients examined due to clear symptoms do not manifest macroscopic damage of the oesophageal mucosa, and serious endoscopic findings (Barrett's oesophagus) are observed in only a small percentage of patients (10%). Barrett's oesophagus is a serious complication - precancerous condition with a 30-fold higher risk of development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma when compared with patients without this condition. The article presents risk factors and predictors of progression of the Barrett's oesophagus into the stage of adenocarcinoma. The main risk factors associated with oesophageal adenocarcinoma are male sex, white race, gastroesophageal reflux.