OBJECTIVE: We recently identified a distinctive type of multilayered epithelium in two @entity1 with @entity355 , which shows morphological characteristics of both squamous and columnar epithelium. This study was performed to prospectively evaluate the prevalence of multilayered epithelium in @entity1 with @entity355 . METHODS: Mucosal biopsies were obtained from the squamocolumnar junction (Z-line) of 58 @entity1 with endoscopic evidence of esophageal columnar epithelium and from the gastroesophageal junction in 21 @entity1 without endoscopic evidence of esophageal columnar epithelium. Specimens were evaluated for the presence of multilayered epithelium and goblet cells. RESULTS: Twenty-four of 58 (41%) of the @entity1 with endoscopic evidence of esophageal columnar epithelium had multilayered epithelium compared with only one of 21 @entity1 (5%) in the control group (p = 0.005). Of the 58 @entity1 in the study group, 43 had goblet cell metaplasia and 15 did not (p < 0.001). Only @entity1 with goblet cell metaplasia had multilayered epithelium. Shorter lengths of columnar epithelium were noted in the 24 @entity1 with goblet cells and multilayered epithelium compared with the 19 @entity1 with goblet cells and no multilayered epithelium (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Multilayered epithelium is strongly associated with goblet cell metaplasia in @entity1 with endoscopic evidence of esophageal columnar epithelium. These data support the hypothesis that multilayered epithelium may represent a transitional stage in the development of @entity355 .

Prospective evaluation of multilayered epithelium in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity355 :: ('MESH:D001471', 'Disease') :: ["Barrett's esophagus"]
@entity355 :: (MESH:D001471,Disease) :: ['Barrett's esophagus']
