Cigarette smoking is a modifiable risk factor for Barrett's oesophagus

Background: Cigarette smoking has been associated with an increased risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). However, the impact of smoking and more importantly smoking cessation on Barrett's oesophagus (BO) is unclear. Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and presence of BO in a large prospective cohort of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Methods: Patients presenting to the endoscopy unit for upper endoscopy completed a validated GORD questionnaire and information on demographics (age, gender, and ethnicity), cigarette smoking [status (current/past), amount (pack years) and duration of smoking cessation], clinical data [medication history, body mass index (BMI), and family history] and endoscopic findings [BO and hiatal hernia] were recorded. Cigarette smokers (current and past) and nonsmokers were compared using Fisher's Exact test for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables. Effects of cigarette smoking and smoking cessation on BO risk was assessed by stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 1056 patients were included in the analysis [mean age: 57.2 +/- 12.7years, Caucasian 880 (83.3%), male 985 (93.3%), and mean BMI 29.6 (SD: +/- 5.6)]. 827 (78.3%) were smokers and 229 (21.6%) were nonsmokers. 474 subjects (44.9%) had a previous history of smoking. Anytime smokers were more likely to have BO (adjusted OR: 3.3; 95 CI: 1.7-6.3; p < 0.01). Higher smoking burden (pack years) was associated with higher risk of BO in this GORD cohort (p for trend < 0.01). Duration of smoking cessation was inversely associated with risk of BO (p for trend: 0.01). Conclusion: This study shows that smokers with reflux symptoms have about threefold higher risk of BO compared with nonsmokers, whereas discontinuing smoking is associated with a significant reduced risk. Smoking cessation appears to be a viable option to reduce BO risk in patients with reflux disease.