Risk factors for gallbladder polyps observed through second-look abdominal sonography in patients with fatty liver disease

Multiple studies have provided varied results on the relationship between gallbladder polyps (GBPs), fatty liver disease (FLD), and metabolic factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the possible risk factors related to GBP formation in Taiwanese population through the use of health examinations. In this retrospective study, 1311 subjects who underwent abdominal sonography for health evaluations from September 2019 to August 2020 were randomly enrolled. Baseline characteristics of the study subjects were recorded. Risk factors related to GBP formation were analyzed. All participants’ series of abdominal sonography examinations in our hospital were also retrospectively reviewed to reveal the presence of GBPs through second-look sonography. Among 1311 participants, 946 participants (72.2%) had clinically evident FLD, as documented using abdominal sonography; GBPs were found in 233 (24.6%) subjects with FLD. The incidence of FLD was significantly associated with the presence of GBP (P < .001; OR: 4.16, 95% CI: 10.67–35.55). However, the severity of FLD was not found to be associated with GBP (P = .052). In a multi-variate analysis for risk factors for GBP formation, FLD (P < .0001, OR = 4.262, 95% CI: 2.17–8.34), younger group (P = .002; OR: 0.973, CI: 0.95–0.99), and alcohol consumption (P = .009; OR: 3.368, CI: 1.34–8.42) showed statistical significance. Among 1049 subjects in the nonGBP group, 56 (5.34%) persons were found to have had a GBP at least once in the other series of abdominal sonographies (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: FLD, older age group, and alcohol consumption are major risk factors of GBP formation in Taiwanese population. The presence of GBPs might be revealed in second-look examinations of abdominal sonographies.