Association between coffee or tea drinking and Barrett's esophagus or esophagitis: an Italian study

Background/Objectives: Only a few papers have treated of the relationship between Barrett's esophagus (BE) or erosive esophagitis (E) and coffee or tea intake. We evaluated the role of these beverages in BE and E occurrence. Subjects/Methods: Patients with BE (339), E (462) and controls (619) were recruited. Data on coffee and tea and other individual characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: BE risk was higher in former coffee drinkers, irrespective of levels of exposure (cup per day; [[less-than or slanted equal to]1: OR=3.76, 95% CI 1.33-10.6; >1: OR=3.79, 95% CI 1.31-11.0; test for linear trend (TLT) P=0.006) and was higher with duration (>30 years: OR=4.18, 95% CI 1.43-12.3; TLT P=0.004) and for late quitters, respectively ([[less-than or slanted equal to]3 years from cessation: OR=5.95, 95% CI 2.19-16.2; TLT P18 years: OR=6.10, 95% CI 2.15-17.3). No association was found in current drinkers, but for an increased risk of E in light drinkers ( A discernible risk reduction of E (about 20%, not significant) and BE (about 30%, P Conclusions: Our data were suggestive of a reduced risk of BE and E with tea intake. An adverse effect of coffee was found among BE patients who had stopped drinking coffee. Coffee or tea intakes could be indicative of other lifestyle habits with protective or adverse impact on esophageal mucosa.
Author(s): R A Filiberti [sup.1] , V Fontana [sup.1] , A De Ceglie [sup.2] , S Blanchi [sup.2] , E Grossi [sup.3] , D Della Casa [sup.4] , T Lacchin [...]