Is it hereditary

[Tess]

Hi
Does anyone know whether Barrett's oesophagus is hereditary? My Dad has Barrett's. I wondered if this means that I have a higher likelyhood of reflux and Barretts??

[daw]

Hi Tess,
I've read medical articles that alluded to the heredity component in Barrett's. I have never read articles where it flat out stated that heredity was not an issue. I will try and post if I can find these articles again. I have read posts where people with family members having Barrett's or EC were told by their doctors to seriously think about getting a screening endoscopy even though they had no symptoms.

[Tess]

Hi Daw
Thanks for the reply.
Ive tried to look on the internet for the answer but never got anywhere. Ive found the same as you - it doesn't outright state anywhere, although I guess they wouldn't advise on screening programs if there wasn't any risk. If you ever do come accross any articles then Id be really interested, although I don't want you to spend lots of time for me!

Hope you are okay, I read about your LPR diagnosis, I guess its better than Barrett's. Hope its under control and getting better
Take care

Tess

[daw]

...I read about your LPR diagnosis, I guess its better than Barrett's....
Tess, I was originally diagnosed with short segment Barrett's on my first endoscopy/biopsy. Two future endoscopies/biopsies were not able to find it again. I sent my orginal slides to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion. They did not find any Barrett's. But my GI is playing it safe and I will still be under surveilance so it's always in the back of my mind. As for my family, there was never any mention of Barrett's. I remember my Dad couldn't eat tomatoes and my Mom occasionally had meat getting stuck but they were never scoped or took meds for GERD. One of my aunts mentioned she had a hiatal herna. My brother and his daughter (both overweight) were diagnosed with GERD but are dong well and are off of PPIs.