The effect of long-term intake of cis unsaturated fats on the risk for gallstone disease in men: a prospective cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats act as inhibitors of cholesterol cholelithiasis in animal experiments.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between long-term intake of cis unsaturated fats and the incidence of gallstone disease in humans.


METHODS
Prospective population-based cohort study.


METHODS
The Health Professional Follow-up Study.


METHODS
45,756 men, age 40 to 75 years in 1986, who were free of gallstone disease.


METHODS
Consumption of cis unsaturated fats was assessed starting in 1986 as part of the 131-item semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaires. Questionnaires were mailed to participants every 2 years. The main outcome measure was self-reported newly diagnosed symptomatic gallstone disease.


RESULTS
During 14 years of follow-up, 2323 new cases of gallstone disease were documented. After adjustment for age and other potential risk factors, the relative risk for gallstone disease among men in the highest quintile of dietary intake of cis unsaturated fats compared with men in the lowest quintile was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.69 to 0.96; P for trend = 0.006). The relative risk among men in the highest quintile of polyunsaturated fat consumption compared with men in the lowest quintile was 0.84 (CI, 0.73 to 0.96; P for trend = 0.01), and the relative risk among men in the highest quintile of monounsaturated fat consumption compared with men in the lowest quintile was 0.83 (CI, 0.70 to 1.00; P for trend = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Outcomes were restricted to men with cholecystectomy or diagnostically confirmed but unremoved symptomatic gallstones.


CONCLUSIONS
A high intake of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats in the context of an energy-balanced diet is associated with a reduced risk for gallstone disease in men. For definitions of terms used in the text, see Glossary.
Channing Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. hpcjt@channing.harvard.edu
Chung-Jyi
CJ
Tsai
Michael F
MF
Leitzmann
Walter C
WC
Willett
Edward L
EL
Giovannucci
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D042882:Gallstones / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated