However, in view of the phenotypic overlap for gastro-oesophageal reflux and cystic fibrosis, and for gastro-oesophageal reflux and both Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma, combined with the identification of CFTR risk variants in patients with Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma, it seems plausible that a common pathophysiological mechanism for gastro-oesophageal reflux is triggered by CFTR. This idea underlines the importance of CFTR as a true disease gene within this region. The gene discussed is CFTR; the disease is cystic fibrosis.