Background: Prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) in Luoyang, China, has not been reported, and itspathogenesis is controversial. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the prevalence of BE and itsunderlying factors in the city of Luoyang. Method: This was a prospective study in one center. Many patientswere analyzed using endoscopy who showed upper gastrointestinal symptoms between August 2006 and June2007. In addition, the effect of apoptosis-related proteins and heat shock proteins upon BE’s pathogenesis werealso investigated by an immunohistochemical protocol. Results: Prevalence of BE was at 4.55% and the mean ageof those affected was about 10 years older than for esophagitis. Typical reflux symptoms were significantly lowerthan with esophagitis, whereas signs of caspase-3 and HSP105 elevation were significantly higher. Expressionof TERT, HSP70 and HSP90α in BE cases was significantly lower than in esophagitis. However, there was nostatistical difference between the two groups in expression of HSP27. Conclusions: The prevalence of BE is highin Luoyang, which could result from esophagitis despite typical reflux symptoms being relatively uncommon.Initiation and development of BE might be the result of accelerated proliferation, apoptosis and differentiationof original cells to intestinal epithelium.
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