Abstract
BackgroundGallbladder Polyps (GBP) are highly prevalent in China; however, the etiology of GBP has not been clearly defined. This study explored the associations between lifestyle factors and GBP and whether it mediated by metabolic factors or not.MethodsA total of 487 newly diagnosed GBP cases and 502 healthy controls were involved in this study. A questionnaire was used to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors. Food Intake Frequencies Questionnaire was used to obtain the food intake frequencies of seven food categories. Blood was tested for lipid profiles, fasting blood glucose and blood urine acid. A Covariance Structure Analysis was used in the analysis to explore the possible pathways between socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, metabolic factor and GBP.ResultsThe Covariance Structure Analysis showed that a higher BMI and elevated triglyceride level mediated the association between age and GBP. Lifestyle factors (smoking and drinking) and higher intake frequencies of fatty food (meat and viscera) also linked to higher BMI and higher triglyceride level, respectively, which were associated with GBP.ConclusionIn conclusion, age and lifestyle factors might be indirectly related with GBP through BMI and the triglyceride pathway.
Highlights
Gallbladder Polyps (GBP) are highly prevalent in China; the etiology of GBP has not been clearly defined
The aims of this study are to determine the association between lifestyle factors and GBP and to examine whether these associations were mediated by BMI or metabolic factors, using path analysis
Univariate analysis of lifestyle and dietary factors According to the results of the univariate analysis, the current smokers and the ones with a higher intake frequencies of meat were significantly associated with GBP (Table 2)
Summary
Gallbladder Polyps (GBP) are highly prevalent in China; the etiology of GBP has not been clearly defined. This study explored the associations between lifestyle factors and GBP and whether it mediated by metabolic factors or not. Previous studies reported that compared to western populations, Asian populations (mainly Japanese, Korean and Chinese) have a higher GBP. Identifying risk factors for GBP will increase its understanding, diagnosis, and prevention. In China, HBV infection is highly prevalent, which is a strong risk factor for the development of GBP [4, 9]. The other reported risk factors associated with GBP mainly include unmodified socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, race, and family histories and modified lifestyle aspects, such as smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary habit and physical activity [4, 10]. It is important to explore whether these modifiable factors
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