Willingness to take a one month holiday from a PPI or steroids if they have been prescribed this prior to enrollment.
Willingness to participate and have additional biopsies taken during endoscopy and answer a questionnaire.
You may not be if
Patients \< 18 years of age.
Inability to give consent.
Inability to undergo endoscopy or contraindications to endoscopy. Any medical condition or disorder (including drug allergies), which would preclude the use of conscious sedation or the ability to tolerate upper endoscopy.
Contraindications to proton pump inhibitors or steroids.
Inability to accurately fill out a short questionnaire.
Pregnant females. A urine beta human chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG) prior to endoscopy will be offered to all female patients of child bearing potential (exceptions include post-menopausal, hysterectomy or bilateral tubal ligation). Positive BHCG results will prevent enrollment.
Known coagulation abnormalities, thrombocytopenia and patients on coumadin.
