Gallstones and Clonorchis sinensis infection: a hospital-based case-control study in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
A high prevalence of intrahepatic stones in some areas of East Asia has been believed to be related with Clonorchis sinensis infection. The authors conducted a hospital-based case-control study to evaluate the role of Clonorchis sinensis infection as a risk factor for the development of gallstones in Korea.


METHODS
The cases of 138 patients with gallstones (intrahepatic 44, gallbladder 67, and extrahepatic 27) and matched controls underwent microscopy for C. sinensis, serological tests for C. sinensis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, radiological examinations, and interviews concerning the history of eating raw freshwater fish. We assessed a relationship of three types of gallstones and variables regarding C. sinensis by using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses.


RESULTS
Univariate statistical analyses showed that radiological evidence of C. sinensis and recent history of eating raw freshwater fish were related to an increased risk of intrahepatic stones (P = 0.0002 and 0.0039, respectively). According to multivariate statistical analyses, radiological evidence of C. sinensis was the only risk factor for intrahepatic stones (odds ratio = 7.835; 95% confidence interval = 1.671-36.724). Any evidence regarding C. sinensis was not related to an increased risk of either gallbladder or extrahepatic stones.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiological evidence of C. sinensis was significantly associated with intrahepatic stones.
Choi
Dongil
D
Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lim
Jae Hoon
JH
Lee
Kyu Taek
KT
Lee
Jong Kyun
JK
Choi
Seong Ho
SH
Heo
Jin Seok
JS
Choi
Dong Wook
DW
Jang
Kee-Taek
KT
Lee
Nam Yong
NY
Kim
Seonwoo
S
Hong
Sung-Tae
ST
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003003:Clonorchiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003004:Clonorchis sinensis; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged