Barrett’s esophagus (BE), or endobrachyesophagus, is a precancerous condition characterized by intestinal metaplasia of the esophageal epithelium. This pathology results primarily from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is associated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological profile of BE and to identify the main risk factors in the Moroccan population. It aims to determine the prevalence of BE among Moroccan patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), to identify the risk factors associated with this condition, and to analyze the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of patients diagnosed with BE.

This is a retrospective descriptive study conducted on a population of patients who underwent EGD in Morocco between 2020 and 2025. Inclusion criteria involved patients with an endoscopic and/or histological diagnosis of BE, while exclusion criteria comprised patients with incomplete records or confirmed malignant pathology. The parameters studied included age, sex, medical history, clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, and management.

153 patients were included. The results show that the mean age of patients with BE is 55 years, with a male predominance. Sixty percent of patients with BE are over 50 years old. Among the identified risk factors, hiatal hernia was present in the majority of BE patients (65%), heartburn in 38% of cases, and regurgitation in 42%. Several comorbidities were also reported, including hypertension (23%), diabetes (17%), and chronic kidney disease (15%). Dietary habits—particularly the consumption of tea, coffee, and spices—are common in the Moroccan population and also appear to play a role in the development of BE. The diagnosis of BE was established according to the Prague classification, with a predominance of short-segment forms: C1M1 (20%), C2M1 (15%), and C1M2 (8%). Biopsies were performed following the Seattle protocol to confirm the histological diagnosis.

This study highlights the importance of screening for BE in at-risk patients, particularly those with a hiatal hernia and chronic gastroesophageal reflux. Implementing a national surveillance strategy could improve the management of this condition and prevent complications related to esophageal adenocarcinoma.