Intestinal metaplasia at the squamocolumnar junction in patients attending for diagnostic gastroscopy.

BACKGROUND The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus and gastric cardia is increasing rapidly. Barrett's oesophagus is the major risk factor. Intestinal metaplasia at the squamocolumnar junction in the absence of Barrett's oesophagus is common but its relation to adenocarcinoma and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is unclear. AIMS To study the prevalence and clinical, endoscopic, and histological associations of intestinal metaplasia at the squamocolumnar junction. METHODS Biopsy specimens were taken from 120 randomly selected patients undergoing routine diagnostic endoscopy. Eight biopsy specimens, taken from above and below the squamocolumnar junction, gastric fundus, and gastric antrum, were stained with haematoxylin/eosin, alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff, and Gimenez, and graded independently by one pathologist. RESULTS Intestinal metaplasia at the squamocolumnar junction was found in 21 patients (18%). Metaplasia was associated with increasing age (p < 0.01) and antral intestinal metaplasia (p = 0.04). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age was the only independent predictor (p < 0.01). There was no association with symptomatic, endoscopic, or histological markers of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. CONCLUSIONS Intestinal metaplasia at the squamocolumnar junction is a common finding. It is associated with increasing age but not gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.