Bile acids and Barrett's oesophagus: a sine qua non or coincidence?

Background: Barrett's oesophagus (BO), a premalignant condition associated with the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC), is thought to be a consequence of chronic duodeno-gastro-oesophageal reflux. Of the refluxates, bile acids, either alone or in combination with acid, are probably the most important.

Methods: Analysis of the literature on the role played by bile acids in inducing BO and/or progression to OAC.