The effect of combined long term Aspirin and proton pump inhibitor therapy on the histological progression of Barrett's metaplasia

Introduction: It is known that the increase of the COX-2 expression is an early step in the sequence of malignant transformations leading to Barrett's metaplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Furthermore retrospective studies have shown a decreased incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients on aspirin (ASA) treatment. Aims: We aimed to determine changes of COX-2 expression and the chemopreventive effect in patients with esophageal metaplasia under ASA + proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment compared to PPI treatment alone. Patients & Methods: 105 patients were followed prospectively (M/F: 51/54, mean ag…