The results of a new study appear to show that the use of aspirin can help reduce the risk of Barrett's esophagus, according to a news release.
The study was published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.
The team of researchers conducting the study was led by Chin Hur, MD, MPH, of the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Technology Assessment. The researchers found that people taking aspirin were 44 percent less likely to have Barrett's esophagus. They also found that men were more than three times more likely to develop Barrett's esophagus than women.
"The protective effect of aspirin use appears robust because the analyses suggests a dose-response relationship in which high-dose aspirin was significantly associated with decreased Barrett's esophagus risk," said Dr. Hur, in the release. "It would not be advisable at this time for patients to start taking aspirin, particularly at higher doses, if preventing Barrett's esophagus is the only goal. However, if additional data confirms our findings and an individual at high risk for development of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer also could derive additional benefits, most notably cardiovascular, aspirin could be a consideration."
Related Articles on Barrett's Esophagus:
Covidien Launches New Ablation Catheter for Barrett's Esophagus
Philadelphia's Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Opens Barrett's Esophagus Treatment Center
FL's Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola Now Offers Barrett's Esophagus