Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40711486›Full record

ArticleWiener klinische Wochenschrift2026

Health risk factors in different educational groups and their association to Barrett's esophagus.

Nikolaus Götz, Andreas Völkerer, Hannah Hofer, Sarah Wernly, Georg Semmler, Ewald Wöll, Elmar Aigner, Maria Flamm, Christian Datz, Bernhard Wernly

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Nikolaus GötzDepartment of Internal Medicine, St. Vinzenz Hospital Zams, Tyrol, Austria. nikolaus.goetz@gmx.net.
Andreas VölkererParacelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
Hannah HoferParacelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
Sarah WernlyDepartment of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Oberndorf, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
Georg SemmlerDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Ewald WöllDepartment of Internal Medicine, St. Vinzenz Hospital Zams, Tyrol, Austria.
Elmar AignerClinic I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
Maria FlammInstitute of General Practice, Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health and Healthcare Research, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.
Christian DatzDepartment of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Oberndorf, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
Bernhard WernlyClinic I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionGeneral health risk factors may vary significantly across different education groups. These disparities in lifestyle choices can contribute to the development of chronic conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders. Barrett's esophagus (BE), a premalignant condition associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer, may be influenced by these social determinants of health. This work explores how education status shapes the prevalence of BE, considering how key health risk factors in different education groups impact the development of the condition.

methodsWe analyzed data from a cohort of 5160 Austrian individuals who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and screening colonoscopy. Participants were categorized into three education groups: low (n = 1933), medium (n = 2780), and high (n = 447). The distribution of risk factors across education groups was observed and the prevalence of BE (including any BE and dysplastic BE) was assessed using univariate and multivariable regression analyses, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, metabolic syndrome, smoking, alcohol consumption, reflux severity, hiatal hernia and proton pump inhibitor intake.

resultsGeneral health risk factors, such as metabolic syndrome, alcohol consumption, gastroesophageal reflux and smoking are more prevalent in lower education groups, contributing to a higher burden of chronic diseases. The prevalence of histologically confirmed Barrett's esophagus was low across all education levels, showing no significant differences (p = 0.90). Nondysplastic BE was present in 1% of participants, with similar rates across the low, medium and high education groups (1% each). Only one case of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) was found in the medium education group. In the unadjusted analysis no significant link was found between education level and Barrett's esophagus. Compared to those with lower education, the odds were 1.25 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.71-2.19, p = 0.443) for medium and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.31-2.69, p = 0.864) for high education. In the fully controlled model, accounting for age, sex, metabolic syndrome, smoking, alcohol consumption, reflux severity, hiatal hernia, and proton pump inhibitor use, the association remained nonsignificant, with odds ratios of 1.15 (95% CI: 0.55-2.40, p = 0.719) for medium and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.30-3.36, p = 0.986) for high education.

conclusionOur study indicates that education level is associated with the distribution of general risk factors, but it is not a key factor in Barrett's esophagus risk in an asymptomatic screening population. Although education impacts health outcomes in many conditions, its influence on BE seems minimal. Future research should explore broader socioeconomic factors, such as income, occupation and healthcare access for a better understanding of the BE risk and detection disparities.

Indexed as

Barrett EsophagusEducational StatusAdultAgedAlcohol DrinkingAustriaComorbidityEsophageal NeoplasmsFemaleGastroesophageal RefluxHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk FactorsSmokingChronic disease epidemiologyEsophageal cancer preventionEsophageal neoplasmsLifestyle-related disordersPublic health

Identifiers

PMID40711486
PMCPMC12830407

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.