Detection of Barrett s Esophagus in Patients Without Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Symptoms
The purpose of this study is to develop a method to detect Barrett's esophagus (BE) in individuals with a new office-based diagnostic test.
• No known coagulopathy, no known esophageal varices.
• No significant dysphagia or odynophagia
• Absence of chronic GERD, defined as five or more years of heartburn or regurgitation with symptoms at least once a week when not on medications for GERD symptoms.
• Subjects to qualify must meet criterion 3, be over age 50, and have two additional risk factors for BE (white race, central obesity defined as waist size \>35 inches for women and \>40 inches for men, male gender, current smoker or smoking history \>10 pack years, confirmed family history in at least two members with one being a first degree relative).