Prevalence of and risk factors for gallbladder polyps detected by ultrasonography among healthy Chinese: analysis of 34 669 cases.
OBJECTIVE
Gallbladder (GB) polyps are tumor or tumor-like projections arising from GB mucosa. Although most polyps are benign, some early GB carcinomas present as polypoid lesions. The diagnosis of GB polyps is relatively easy by ultrasonography. Although numerous studies have investigated GB polyps, few studies have addressed the prevalence of and factors associated with GB polyps for specific ethnic populations. This study analyzes the prevalence and factors associated with GB polyps in a Chinese population who can afford a paid general checkup.


METHODS
The prevalence of and risk factors for GB polyps diagnosed by ultrasonography were retrospectively investigated in 34 669 Chinese patients who underwent a general checkup at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taipei, Taiwan) between 2000 and 2003. Demographic, hemogram, serum biochemistry, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibody, and ultrasonography study data was available for all the patients. The correlations between the prevalence of GB polyps and age, sex, body height, body weight, body mass index, hemogram, serum biochemistry, and viral markers were examined for all the patients.


RESULTS
Excluding the patients who underwent cholecystectomy, the overall prevalence of GB polyps was 9.5% and highest for middle-aged males. The analyzed risk factors with increased odds ratios (OR) for the development of GB polyps were male sex (OR 0.646, P < 0.0005) and hepatitis B virus surface antigen positivity (OR 1.113, P < 0.0005). Other demographic characteristics and biochemical parameters, including body height, body weight, body mass index, lipid profile, chronic hepatitis C virus infection, and liver function did not correlate with the presence of GB polyps.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of GB polyps among the Chinese in this study is higher than that reported for other populations. Chinese males and other patients with chronic hepatitis B viral infections have a high risk for developing GB polyps.
Lin
Wey-Ran
WR
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lin
Deng-Yn
DY
Tai
Dar-In
DI
Hsieh
Sen-Yung
SY
Lin
Chun-Yen
CY
Sheen
I-Shyan
IS
Chiu
Cheng-Tang
CT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011127:Polyps / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014463:Ultrasonography