췌담도 ; 채식주의자에 있어서 담낭 용종의 유병률은 일반인과 차이를 보이는가?

Background/Aims: Gallbladder polyps (GBP) are a common clinical finding that can express malignant potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether vegetarianism protects against GBP, together with other putative risk factors. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted with subjects who received a health check-up from July 2005 to December 2011. Korean Buddhist priests, who are obligatory vegetarians by religious belief, were identified as vegetarians (vegetarian group) and compared with a non-vegetarian control group sampled from those coming for health check-ups at the same institution. Results: Out of 18,483 subjects, GBP were found in 810 (4.4%). Although GBP tended to be less common in the vegetarian group (23 [3.5%] out of 666) than in control group (787 [4.4%] out of 17,817), the difference was insignificant statistically (p=0.233). By logistic regression, old age (OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.19-2.26 for 30-39 years; OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.08-1.98 for 40-49 years), male gender (OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.31-1.75), high BMI (OR=1.18, 95% CI=1.00-1.39 for ≥23.0 kg/m2 and ＜25.0 kg/m2) and HBsAg positivity (OR=1.53, 95% CI=1.19-1.98) were independent risk factors of GBP. Conclusions: GBP was significantly associated with old age, male gender, high BMI and HBsAg positivity, but not with vegetarianism. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2015;66:268-273)