Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 21, 2013; 19(27): 4393-4399
Published online Jul 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i27.4393
Prevalence and risk factors of gallbladder polypoid lesions in Chinese petrochemical employees
Yu-Shan Mao, Yi-Feng Mai, Fu-Jun Li, Yan-Ming Zhang, Ke-Min Hu, Zhong-Li Hong, Zhong-Wei Zhu
Yu-Shan Mao, Yi-Feng Mai, Zhong-Li Hong, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315020, Zhejiang Province, China
Fu-Jun Li, Department of Ultrasonography, Zhenhai Lianhua Hospital, Ningbo 315207, Zhejiang Province, China
Yan-Ming Zhang, Ke-Min Hu, Zhong-Wei Zhu, Department of General Surgery, Zhenhai Lianhua Hospital, Ningbo 315207, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: Mao YS, Mai YF, Hong ZL and Zhu ZW designed and supervised the study; Mao YS, Li FJ, Zhang YM and Hu KM performed the experiments; Mao YS, Mai YF and Zhu ZW wrote the manuscript; and all authors read and approved the final version to be published.
Supported by Ningbo Social Development and Technology Support Plan Project of China, No. 2011C50021; Ningbo Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 2012A610187; Clinical Research Foundation of Zhejiang Medical Association, No. 2010ZYC-B07, and Zhenhai Social Development and Technology Support Plan Project of Ningbo, No. 2011A2062
Correspondence to: Dr. Zhong-Wei Zhu, Department of General Surgery, Zhenhai Lianhua Hospital, No. 168, Tianyi Road, Zhenhai Distract, Ningbo 315207, Zhejiang Province, China. zzw314@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-574-87035514 Fax: +86-574-87355381
Received: March 7, 2013
Revised: April 27, 2013
Accepted: June 1, 2013
Published online: July 21, 2013
Processing time: 135 Days and 11 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder (PLGs) in petrochemical employees in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.

METHODS: All active and retired employees aged 20-90 years (n = 11098) of a refinery and chemical plant in eastern China were requested to participate in a health survey. The participants were subjected to interview, physical examination, laboratory assessments and ultrasonography. All the participants were invited to have a physical examination after a face-to-face interview. Fasting blood samples were obtained from the antecubital vein, and the samples were used for the analysis of biochemical values. Abdominal ultrasonography was conducted.

RESULTS: A total of 10461 (7331 men and 3130 women) current and former petrochemical employees attended for screening. The overall prevalence of post-cholecystectomy, gallstones and PLGs was 0.9%, 5.2% and 7.4%, respectively. Compared with the increased prevalence of either gallstones or post-cholecystectomy in older persons, PLGs were more common in the middle-aged, peaking in those aged 40-59 years. Excluding the patients with gallstones, gallstones mixed with PLGs, or those who had undergone cholecystectomy, in the remaining 9828 participants, the prevalence of PLGs in men (8.9%) was significantly higher than that in women (5.5%, P < 0.001). The analyzed risk factors with increased OR for the development of PLGs were male gender (OR = 1.799, P < 0.001), age ≥ 30 years (OR = 2.699, P < 0.001) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (OR = 1.374, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION: PLGs are not rare among Chinese petrochemical employees. Male gender, HBsAg positivity, and middle age are risk factors for developing PLGs.

Keywords: Prevalence; Risk factors; Polypoid lesions; Gallbladder; Chinese

Core tip: Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder (PLGs) are commonly encountered in clinical practice. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of PLGs in a cohort of petrochemical employees in the city of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. It was demonstrated that 7.4% of the petrol-chemical employees studied had PLGs; and male, hepatitis B surface antigen positive and middle-aged employees, especially those aged between 30 and 59 years, had higher risks for developing PLGs.