Barrett's esophagus: an acquired condition with genetic predisposition.

We describe four families with a strong familial expression of Barrett's/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) complex spanning one to four generations with two to seven affected members per family. The purpose of this report is to highlight genetic trends in Barrett's esophagus, stress the importance of a family history in gastroesophageal reflux disease, and to call attention to unique features of familial Barrett's esophagus.