逆流性食道炎の現状と予防への取り組み : 自身の逆流性食道炎の研究から

Gastroesophageal reflux disease（GERD）, classified into reflux esophagitis（RE） and nonerosive reflux disease, is one of the most common upper gastrointestinal disorders worldwide and may decrease quality of life. Recently, the prevalence of GERD, including RE, has been increasing and was approximately 8-30% in the world, and there may be approximately 10-15 million patients with RE in Japan. RE is a major risk factor for Barrett’s esophagus, which is the precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Therefore, prevention of RE is important for the prevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Additionally, the effective countermeasure of RE is essential for the prevention of RE because there are many high-risk patients for RE, such as those with obesity, metabolic syndrome, metabolic dysfunction, and unfavorable lifestyle habits. We herein introduced our several research about the extraction of high-risk patients for the development RE. From our research, in addition to conventional reported risk factors related with RE, distinction of individuals based on the severity of metabolic syndrome, qualitative assessment of visceral fat, and several metabolites related with RE maybe important for the prevention of RE. As regards alcohol intake, although the influence of alcohol consumption on RE was different between men and women, age and drinking status such as quantity and frequency should be assessed when considering the prevention of RE. We want to contribute to a decrease of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma by continuing study for RE.