CLINICAL-FEATURES AND INVESTIGATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH COLUMNAR-LINED ESOPHAGUS

Background It is unclear why some patients with a columnar-lined oesop hagus present with intestinal metaplasia and others do not. The physio pathological and clinical implications of the length of the metaplasti c segment are also controversial. The aim of the study was to determin e whether the length of the metaplasia and the presence of intestinal epithelium are related to the clinical, manometric and pHmetric data i n patients with columnar-lined oesophagus. Methods A comparison of cli nical, endoscopic, pathological, manometric and pHmetric data was made between patients with columnar-lined oesophagus of 3-5 cm (n = 31) an d those with a metaplastic segment of 5 cm or more (n = 28); the same comparison was made between patients who had specialized intestinal me taplasia (n = 37) and those who did not (n = 22). Results No significa nt difference was found in any of the variables studied except for ass ociated inflammatory lesions above the columnar epithelium which were more frequent in patients with a shorter metaplastic segment (P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Neither the length of the metaplastic segment nor the pr esence of intestinal metaplasia was related to a more evolved gastro-o esophageal reflux disease, a poorer oesophageal clearing function or h igher acid reflux rates.