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SUMMARY BackgroundArgon plasma coagulation seems to be a promising technique for ablation of Barrett's oesophagus, yet few long-term efficacy data are available.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Only a few papers have treated of the relationship between Barrett's esophagus (BE) or erosive esophagitis (E) and coffee or tea intake. We evaluated the role of these beverages in BE and E occurrence. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Patients with BE (339), E (462) and controls (619) were recruited. Data on coffee and tea and other individual characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: BE risk was higher in former coffee drinkers, irrespective of levels of exposure (cup per day; ⩽ 1: OR = 3.76, 95% CI 1.33-10.6; 41: OR = 3.79, 95% CI 1.31-11.0; test for linear trend (TLT) P = 0.006) and was higher with duration (430 years: OR = 4.18, 95% CI 1.43-12.3; TLT P = 0.004) and for late quitters, respectively (⩽3 years from cessation: OR = 5.95, 95% CI 2.19-16.2; TLT P o 0.001). The risk of BE was also higher in subjects who started drinking coffee later (age 418 years: OR = 6.10, 95% CI 2.15-17.3). No association was found in current drinkers, but for an increased risk of E in light drinkers (o 1 cup per day OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.00-3.43). A discernible risk reduction of E (about 20%, not significant) and BE (about 30%, P o 0.05) was observed in tea drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: Our data were suggestive of a reduced risk of BE and E with tea intake. An adverse effect of coffee was found among BE patients who had stopped drinking coffee. Coffee or tea intakes could be indicative of other lifestyle habits with protective or adverse impact on esophageal mucosa.

Knowledge about the association between alcohol and Barrett's oesophagus and reflux oesophagitis is conflicting. In this case-control study we evaluated the role of specific alcoholic beverages (red and white wine, beer and liquors) in 339 Barrett's oesophagus and 462 oesophagitis patients compared with 619 endoscopic controls with other disorders, recruited in twelve Italian endoscopic units. Data on alcohol and other individual characteristics were obtained from structured questionnaires. No clear, monotonic significant dose-response relationship was pointed out for red wine. However, a generalised U-shaped trend of Barrett's oesophagus/oesophagitis risk due to red wine consumption particularly among current drinkers was found. Similar results were also found for white wine. Liquor/spirit consumption seemed to bring about a 1·14-2·30 risk excess, although statistically non-significant, for current Barrett's oesophagus/oesophagitis drinkers. Statistically significant decreasing dose-response relationships were found in Barrett's oesophagus for frequency and duration of beer consumption. Similar, but less clear downward tendencies were also found for oesophagitis patients. In conclusion, although often not statistically significant, our data suggested a reduced risk of Barrett's oesophagus and oesophagitis with a low/moderate intake of wine and beer consumption. A non-significant increased risk of Barrett's oesophagus/oesophagitis was observed with a higher intake of any type of heavy alcohol consumption, but no conclusion can be drawn owing to the high number of non-spirit drinkers and to the small number of drinkers at higher alcohol intake levels.

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