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Dietary Habits and Risk of Esophagitis and Barrett’s Esophagus: A Multicenter Italian Case–Control Study

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Abstract

Background

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophagitis share potentially modifiable risk factors such as obesity, smoking, and alcohol. The role of diet on BE and esophagitis is still debated.

Aims

The objective of this study was to examine the association between some dietary habits and the risk of BE and esophagitis in Italy.

Methods

A multicenter case–control study involving 1285 individuals was carried out in 12 areas. Patients with a new diagnosis of BE (320) or esophagitis (359) and a group of endoscopic controls (606) were included. Information on personal history and dietary habits was collected using a structured questionnaire.

Results

No clear monotonic significant dose–response relationship was found for most of the considered food items. Nevertheless, the most extreme consumption category of red meat, cold cuts, dairy products, and fried foods showed esophagitis risk excesses varying from 19 to 49%. A higher fat rich diet seemed to increase risk by 49% for BE and 94% for esophagitis. A downward tendency in esophagitis (− 27%) and BE risk (− 20%) was found associated with higher frequency of fresh fruit intake. In addition, a statistically significant twofold increased risk for both BE and esophagitis was found for subjects eating late evening snacks more than once every three days in comparison with the lowest intake category (no consumption).

Conclusions

BE and esophagitis patients appeared to be more likely than controls to follow a diet rich in fats and poor in fruit and vegetables. Late evening snacks were found to be associated with both disorders.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the study participants for their confidence and collaboration. This work was supported by Bracco Spa. Bracco Spa contributed to the study design and had no role in analysis or writing of this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Epidemiology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi, 16132, Genoa, Italy

    Rosa Angela Filiberti, Vincenzo Fontana & Alessandra Rosa

  2. Gastroenterology, General Hospital, Via Giovanni Borea 56, 18038, Sanremo, IM, Italy

    Antonella De Ceglie, Sabrina Blanchi, Marina De Matthaeis & Massimo Conio

  3. Policlinico San Giorgio, Gastroenterology, Pordenone, Italy

    Teresa Lacchin

  4. IRCCS CROB, Digestive Endoscopy, Strada Provinciale di Piano del Conte, 85028, Rionero in Vulture, PZ, Italy

    Orazio Ignomirelli

  5. Gastroenterology, S. Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Via Montereale 24, 33170, Pordenone, Italy

    Roberta Cappiello

  6. Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, S. G. Moscati Hospital, Contrada Amoretta, 83100, Avellino, Italy

    Vittorio D’Onofrio

  7. Divisione di Gastroenterologia, Clinica Santa Rita, Via Appia, 83042, Atripalda, AV, Italy

    Gaetano Iaquinto

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  1. Rosa Angela Filiberti
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Correspondence to Rosa Angela Filiberti.

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Filiberti, R.A., Fontana, V., De Ceglie, A. et al. Dietary Habits and Risk of Esophagitis and Barrett’s Esophagus: A Multicenter Italian Case–Control Study. Dig Dis Sci 66, 3448–3460 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-020-06658-9

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