Chronic alcohol abuse leads to an
increased incidence not only of heartburn but also of esophageal mucosal
inflammation (i.e., esophagitis) and
other injuries that may induce mucosal
defects (i.e., esophagitis with or without erosions). In addition, alcoholics
make up a significant proportion of
patients with Barrett’s esophagus. This
condition, which occurs in 10 to 20
percent of patients with symptomatic
gastroesophageal reflux disease
(Wienbeck and Berges 1985), is characterized by changes in the cell layer
lining the esophagus (i.e., the epithelium) that lead to abnormal acid production. A diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus is an important indicator of an
increased risk of esophageal cancer,
because in some patients the altered
epithelial cells become cancerous.