Does diabetes mellitus with or without gallstones increase the risk of gallbladder cancer? Results from a population-based cohort study

[Type-2-diabetes and gastrointestinal cancer screening]

More than 8000000 Germans suffer from diabetes. People with type-2-diabetes (T2D) are at increased risk of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. They often develop cancer at younger age and their tumor-specific 5-year-survival is generally shorter. Cancer has become the leading cause of death of T2D-patients. Both chronic hyperglycemia and insulin resistance can stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) tumor growth. T2D can cause colorectal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, biliary and gastric cancer as well as esophageal adenocarcinoma. Both low-risk lifestyle and gastrointestinal cancer screening are effective and reduce GI cancer risk and GI cancer mortality of T2D-patients.

Elevated serum triglyceride levels may be a key independent predicting factor for gallbladder cancer risk in gallbladder stone disease patients: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder stone diseases (GSD) is a main risk factor of gallbladder cancer (GBC). This study aimed to reveal their bridge to metabolic syndrome.

MATERIAL/METHOD

The clinical and experimental data of 2210 GBC patients, from 3524 Chinese patients, in our hospital from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2020 were summarized. The metabolic syndrome indexes, influencing factors for both GBC and GSD, were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression in this case-control study.

RESULT

There were significantly higher morbidity of GBC in the overall, GSD and non-GSD with hypertriglyceridemia patients versus non-hypertriglyceridemia ones (P < 0.001, all). In GSD patients, univariate regression showed a significantly positive correlation between serum triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), fasting insulin (FINS) levels, Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), female being, body mass index, hypertriglyceridemia and hazard of GBC with GSD (P < 0.001, all), and a significantly negative correlation to systolic pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure (DBP), hypertension and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P < 0.05, all); multivariate regression showed that serum triglyceride was the most significantly positive factor associated to GBC (P < 0.001, all) among the hazard factors including serum TG, LDL-c levels, HOMA-IR. In non-GSD ones, multivariate regression showed that HOMA-IR was the most significantly positive factor associated to GBC among the hazard factors including serum TG, LDL-c levels, HOMA-IR, female being, while DM had a significantly inversion negative association (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We found initially that elevated serum TG levels could be the most remarkable independent predicting factor for GBC risk with GSD, while insulin resistance might act as the first one in non-GSD. More importantly, we advocated initially the sharp rise of serum TG levels as the potential of a candidate diagnostic or prognostic biomarker of GBC with GSD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study may be performed in accordance with the ethical standards provided by the responsible committee of our institution (First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. XJTU1AF2020LSK-160) at which the work was carried out an in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The ethics committee of our institution strictly comply with the requirements of ICH-GCP、GCP and relevant regulations to construct, operate and implement operating procedures.

A Review of the Etiology and Epidemiology of Gallbladder Cancer: What You Need to Know

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the sixth most prevalent cancer of the gastrointestinal system but the most prevalent cancer of the biliary tract. This tumor is a highly fatal condition. The importance of early diagnosis cannot be overstated because GBC develops quietly with late detection. Several genetic and environmental variables have been associated with the onset of GBC. Cholelithiasis and chronic inflammation from the biliary tract and parasite infections are prime examples of environmental factors that significantly influence the development of GBC. Abnormal pancreaticobiliary duct junction and biliary cysts are examples of congenital causes. In the past decade, new imaging technologies and a more radical and aggressive surgical approach have improved patient outcomes and aided prolonged survival for GBC patients. This review article focuses on the epidemiology of GBC, its risk factors, and clinical characteristics.

Krebsrisiko bei Prädiabetes und Typ-2-Diabetes mellitus

Krebs ist nun die führende Todesursache bei Typ-2-Diabetes mellitus (T2D). Prädiabetes und T2D erhöhen das Risiko für bestimmte Tumoren. Zu den Prädiabetes- bzw. T2D-assoziierten Malignomen zählen gastrointestinale, gynäkologische, urologische und endokrine Karzinome aber auch Leukämien. Prädiabetes und T2D bedingen eine 1,2- bis 2,7-fach erhöhte Krebssterblichkeit. Zugrundeliegende Mechanismen der Assoziation zwischen T2D und Krebs beinhalten die chronische Hyperglykämie, einen chronischen systemischen Entzündungszustand, oxidativen Stress, Dyslipidämie, die Insulinresistenz sowie chronisch erhöhte Spiegel von insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) und von Insulin. Eine dauerhafte Gewichtsreduktion kann das Krebsrisiko adipöser T2D-Patienten signifikant senken. Ein gesunder Lebensstil und die regelmäßige Teilnahme an Vorsorgeuntersuchungen sind wichtig und können die Krebsmortalität von Diabetespatienten erheblich verringern.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome Between Gallbladder Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma: A Propensity Matched Analysis Based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database

Background

Gallbladder squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC) is a rare carcinoma with limited evidence in literature, making it particularly difficult to study. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database (SEER) were used to stress the clinicopathological features and outcomes associated with this tumor.

Methods

SEER registries were used to identify GSCC and gallbladder adenocarcinoma (GAC) cases from 2004 to 2015. The Propensity matching (PSM) method was used for minimized potential difference between the two types and the utmost. Patients with GSCC versus GAC were compared using the clinicopathological features and outcomes.

Results

There were 121 patients with GSCC and 6 580 patients had GAC. Compared with the GAC cohort, the GSCC cohort had a lower proportion of well-differentiated histology (3.3% vs. 12.1%, p < 0.001) and was diagnosed at a later T-stage (p < 0.001). Regarding treatment, patients treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation were associated with significantly better outcome than patients without undergoing these treatment modalities. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, GSCC histology was associated with worse prognosis than GAC histology.

Conclusions

Patients with GSCC were associated with a worse outcome than the GAC cohort. The independent risk factors for patients with GSCC are surgery and chemotherapy.

Association between gallstones and the risk of biliary tract cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare but highly fatal. Although the etiology of BTC is poorly understood, gallstones are proposed to be a major risk factor. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the associations between gallstone characteristics and BTC risk.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases and systematically reviewed cohort and case-control studies published before April 9, 2018. All the included studies reported appropriate risk estimates and confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between the presence, size, number, or duration of gallstones and the risk of BTC, including gallbladder cancer (GBC), extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EBDC), and ampulla of Vater cancer (AOVC). Summary odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model in the meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted to inspect sources of potential heterogeneity, and the Egger test was performed to assess publication bias.

RESULTS

Seven cohort studies and 23 case-control studies in Asian, European, and American populations were included. The presence of gallstones was associated with an increased risk of BTC (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 3.23 to 5.93; I2=91.2%), GBC (OR, 7.26; 95% CI, 4.33 to 12.18), EBDC (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 2.24 to 4.50), and AOVC (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.33 to 8.11). Gallstone size (>1 vs. <1 cm; OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.22) was significantly associated with the risk of GBC.

CONCLUSIONS

Gallstone characteristics, such as presence, size, and number, are associated with an increased risk of BTC. However, significantly high heterogeneity in the meta-analyses is a limitation of this study.

Assessment of clinical outcome of cholecystectomy according to age in preparation for the "Silver Tsunami"

BACKGROUND

Recent rapid increases in the aging population have created an impending "Silver Tsunami" in advanced countries. The overall prevalence of gallstone disease and its related complications will soon increase, and there will be a larger demand for gallbladder surgery.

METHODS

We examined the outcomes of cholecystectomy according to age among patients with cholelithiasis to determine how a patient's age influences the outcome of cholecystectomy. All patients with gallstone disease who presented for cholecystectomy at our institute from January 2006 to December 2018 were analyzed.

RESULTS

All perioperative outcomes (operation length, length of hospital stay, rate of open surgery, urgent surgery, postoperative complications, incidental gallbladder cancer, postoperative hospital death, concomitant bile duct stones, and total medical costs per patient) increased as patients aged.

CONCLUSIONS

To prevent the progression of biliary disease, elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended before patients with cholelithiasis advance in age.

Gallbladder cancer in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

There is paucity in the literature regarding gallbladder cancer in Saudi Arabia, possibly because it is not among the top 10 cancers diagnosed nationwide according to the Saudi Cancer Registry. Moreover, national or regional data on gallbladder cancer in Saudi Arabia have not been analyzed. The purpose of this study was to describe the presentation, disease stage, histology, and survival rates for gallbladder cancer in Saudi patients at a single institution between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 76 patients who presented to our hospital between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017, with established diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma. The diagnosis was made either histopathologically following simple laparoscopic cholecystectomy or biopsy from metastatic liver lesion in patients with gallbladder mass, or the high suspicion of gallbladder carcinoma based on incidental radiological findings. Presentation, disease stage, histology, and treatment modalities were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distributions. Survival rates were analyzed and presented using Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

Based on initial analyses the disease was more frequent among women (62.0%) than men (39.0%). Surgical resection was attempted in 40.8% patients. The average age at presentation and diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma was 62.4 years. The disease had two peaks, one at 51.0 years and the other between 66.0 and 70.0 years. The median survival time for the overall at-risk patients was only 1.0 year, while for stage IVB patients was 7.2 months. Adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified (NOS) was the most common histopathology type (75.0%), with most patients presenting with stage IVB disease (75.0%). Gallbladder carcinoma was incidentally detected in 42.1%, including three cases (3.9%) diagnosed at our hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer in Saudi Arabia, and most patients are treated surgically, despite being mostly diagnosed at the advanced stage of the disease.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder: Report of a rare neoplasm from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

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There is paucity in the literature regarding gallbladder cancer in Saudi Arabia.

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Only 3% of gallbladder cancers worldwide are primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

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We present the first case of primary gallbladder SCC reported in Saudi Arabia.

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Physicians should be aware of this cancer even if it is rare in our country.

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We should consider gallbladder cancer when diagnosing gallbladder-related symptoms.

Introduction

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is extremely rare, and accounts for about 3% of all malignant gallbladder neoplasms.

Presentation of case

We report the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented with acute onset epigastric pain radiating to the back. The initial diagnosis, based on radiological images, was an incidental gallbladder mass with multiple gallstones. A staging laparoscopy was performed, followed by exploratory laparotomy with radical cholecystectomy. Segments 4b and 5 of the liver and the first part of the duodenum with the transverse colon were also resected. Histopathology of the gallbladder mass revealed invasive moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with infiltration of liver segments 4b and 5, the first part of the duodenum, and two pericaval lymph nodes (with lymphovascular and perineural invasion). The primary tumour was scored as pT3, pN2, M1, stage IVB, based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer classification, version 7. The patient was discharged postoperatively and started adjuvant chemotherapy.

Discussion

The best option for treating early-stage gallbladder cancer is radical surgery, while adjuvant chemo-radiation can also be beneficial. Our patient did not exhibit the typical symptoms of gallbladder cancer, and radiography was required for her diagnosis. Thus, additional work is needed to improve the detection of squamous cell carcinoma to improve the prognosis of patients like our own.

Conclusion

Clinicians must be alert to the possibility of squamous cell gallbladder carcinoma, and gallbladder neoplasms should be among the possibilities considered during the differential diagnosis of symptoms related to the gallbladder.

Tamoxifen Use Correlates with Increased Risk of the First Episode of Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease in Older Women with Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Taiwan

Background and Objectives: There are inconsistent results about the association between ischemic cerebrovascular disease and tamoxifen use in women with breast cancer. The study aimed to evaluate the association between the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease and tamoxifen use in older women with breast cancer in Taiwan.

Methods: We designed a retrospective, nationwide, case-control study using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. A total of 800 female subjects with breast cancer aged ≥65 years with the first episode of ischemic cerebrovascular disease from 2000 to 2011 were identified as the cases. Additionally, 2,876 female subjects with breast cancer aged ≥65 years without any type of cerebrovascular diseases were selected as the control subjects. The cases and the control subjects were matched with age and comorbidities. Ever use of tamoxifen was defined as a subject who had at least a prescription for tamoxifen before the index date. Never use of tamoxifen was defined as a subject who never had a prescription for tamoxifen before the index date. We used the multivariable logistic regression model to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for ischemic cerebrovascular disease associated with tamoxifen use.

Results: After adjusting for confounding variables, the adjusted OR of ischemic cerebrovascular disease was 2.5 for subjects with ever use of tamoxifen (95% CI 2.10, 2.97), compared with never use of tamoxifen. In addition, the adjusted OR of ischemic cerebrovascular disease was 1.15 (95% CI 1.10, 1.21) in subjects with ever use of tamoxifen as increase in use duration per 1 year. The adjusted OR of ischemic cerebrovascular disease was 2.54 (95% CI 2.03, 3.17) in subjects with ever use of tamoxifen as increase in dosage per 1 mg.

Conclusions: Tamoxifen use is significantly associated with 2.5-fold increased odds of ischemic cerebrovascular disease among older women with breast cancer in Taiwan. There are duration-dependent and dose-dependent effects of tamoxifen use on the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Fluvastatin use and risk of acute pancreatitis: a population-based case-control study in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the association between fluvastatin use and acute pancreatitis in Taiwan.

METHODS

Using the database from the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) Program, we designed a case-control study which consisted of 3501 individuals aged 20-84 with new at-the-time diagnoses acute pancreatitis as the case group and 8373 randomly selected individuals without acute pancreatitis as the control group during the period of 1998-2011. Both groups were matched for sex, age, and index year of being diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. "Current use" of fluvastatin was defined as individuals whose last remaining tablet of fluvastatin was noted ≤ 7 days before the date of their being diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. "Late use" of fluvastatin was defined as individuals whose last remaining tablet of fluvastatin was noted within 8-30 days before the date of their being diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. "No use" of fluvastatin was defined as individuals who had never had a fluvastatin prescription. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for acute pancreatitis associated with fluvastatin use was examined using a multivariable unconditional logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

After adjustment for potential confounders, the multivariable analysis showed that the adjusted ORs of acute pancreatitis were 1.17 for individuals with "current use" of fluvastatin (95% CI 0.69, 1.97) and 1.82 for individuals with "late use" of fluvastatin (95% CI 0.41, 8.19), but there was no statistical significance when compared with individuals with "no use" of fluvastatin.

CONCLUSIONS

In this this study, no association was detected between fluvastatin use and acute pancreatitis.

Correlation between proton pump inhibitors and risk of pyogenic liver abscess. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2017;73:1019-1025. [PMID: 28434021 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-017-2256-9]

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Little is known about the relationship between proton pump inhibitors use and pyogenic liver abscess. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between proton pump inhibitors use and pyogenic liver abscess in Taiwan.

METHODS

This was a population-based case-control study using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program since 2000 to 2011. Subjects aged 20 to 84 who experienced their first episode of pyogenic liver abscess were enrolled as the case group (n = 1372). Randomly selected subjects aged 20 to 84 without pyogenic liver abscess were enrolled as the control group (n = 1372). Current use, early use, and late use of proton pump inhibitors was defined as subjects whose last one tablet for proton pump inhibitors was noted ≤30 days, between 31 to 90 days and ≥91 days before the date of admission for pyogenic liver abscess. Subjects who never received a prescription for proton pump inhibitors were defined as nonusers of proton pump inhibitors. A multivariable unconditional logistic regression model was used to measure the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval to evaluate the correlation between proton pump inhibitors use and pyogenic liver abscess.

RESULTS

After adjusting for confounders, the adjusted odds ratio of pyogenic liver abscess was 7.59 for subjects with current use of proton pump inhibitors (95% confidence interval 5.05, 11.4), when compared with nonusers.

CONCLUSIONS

Current use of proton pump inhibitors is associated with a greater risk of pyogenic liver abscess.

Herpes zoster correlates with increased risk of Parkinson's disease in older people: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan

Little is known on the relationship between herpes zoster and Parkinson's disease in older people. This study aimed to explore whether herpes zoster could be associated with Parkinson's disease in older people in Taiwan.We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the claim data of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. There were 10,296 subjects aged 65 years and older with newly diagnosed herpes zoster as the herpes zoster group and 39,405 randomly selected subjects aged 65 years and older without a diagnosis of herpes zoster as the nonherpes zoster group from 1998 to 2010. Both groups were followed up until subjects received a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. This follow-up design would explore whether subjects with herpes zoster were at an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. Relative risks were estimated by adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model.The incidence of Parkinson's disease was higher in the herpes zoster group than that in the nonherpes zoster group (4.86 vs 4.00 per 1000 person-years, 95% CI 1.14, 1.29). After adjustment for confounding factors, the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that the adjusted HR of Parkinson's disease was 1.17 for the herpes zoster group (95% CI 1.10, 1.25), compared with the nonherpes zoster group.Older people with herpes zoster confer a slightly increased hazard of developing Parkinson's disease when compared to those without herpes zoster. We think that herpes zoster correlates with increased risk of Parkinson's disease in older people. When older people with herpes zoster seek help, clinicians should pay more attention to the development of the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Herpes zoster correlates with pyogenic liver abscesses in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the paper was to explore the relationship between herpes zoster and pyogenic liver abscesses in Taiwan.

METHODS

This was a nationwide cohort study. Using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program, there were 33049 subjects aged 20-84 years who were newly diagnosed with herpes zoster from 1998 to 2010 that were selected for our study, and they were our herpes zoster group. 131707 randomly selected subjects without herpes zoster were our non-herpes zoster group. Both groups were matched by sex, age, other comorbidities, and the index year of their herpes zoster diagnosis. The incidence of pyogenic liver abscesses at the end of 2011 was then estimated. The multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval for pyogenic liver abscesses associated with herpes zoster and other comorbidities.

RESULTS

The overall incidence rate was 1.38-fold higher in the herpes zoster group than in the non-herpes zoster group (4.47 vs. 3.25 per 10000 person-years, 95% confidence interval 1.32, 1.44). After controlling for potential confounding factors, the adjusted hazard ratio of pyogenic liver abscesses was 1.34 in the herpes zoster group (95% confidence interval 1.05, 1.72) when compared with the non-herpes zoster group. Sex (in this case male), age, presence of biliary stones, chronic kidney diseases, chronic liver diseases, cancers, and diabetes mellitus were also significantly associated with pyogenic liver abscesses.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with herpes zoster are associated with an increased hazard of developing pyogenic liver abscesses.

Splenectomy and risk of renal and perinephric abscesses: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan

Little epidemiological research is available on the relationship between splenectomy and renal and perinephric abscesses. The purpose of the study was to examine this issue in Taiwan.We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using the hospitalization dataset of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. A total of 16,426 participants aged 20 and older who were newly diagnosed with splenectomy from 1998 to 2010 were assigned to the splenectomy group, whereas 65,653 sex-matched, age-matched, and comorbidity-matched, randomly selected participants without splenectomy were assigned to the nonsplenectomy group. The incidence of renal and perinephric abscesses at the end of 2011 was measured in both groups. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to measure the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for risk of renal and perinephric abscesses associated with splenectomy and other comorbidities including cystic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infection, and urolithiasis.The overall incidence rate of renal and perinephric abscesses was 2.14-fold greater in the splenectomy group than that in the nonsplenectomy group (2.24 per 10,000 person-years vs 1.05 per 10,000 person-years, 95% CI 2.02, 2.28). After controlling for sex, age, cystic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infection, and urolithiasis, the multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that the adjusted HR of renal and perinephric abscesses was 2.24 for the splenectomy group (95 % CI 1.30, 3.88), when compared with the nonsplenectomy group. In further analysis, the adjusted HR markedly increased to 7.69 for those comorbid with splenectomy and diabetes mellitus (95% CI 3.31, 17.9).Splenectomy is associated with renal and perinephric abscesses, particularly comorbid with diabetes mellitus. In view of its potential morbidity and mortality, clinicians should consider the possibility of renal and perinephric abscesses when patients with splenectomy present with fever of unknown origin.

Long-term effects of pioglitazone on first attack of ischemic cerebrovascular disease in older people with type 2 diabetes: A case-control study in Taiwan

Long-term studies demonstrating the effect of pioglitazone use on primary prevention of ischemic cerebrovascular disease in older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus are lacking. This study investigated the relationship between pioglitazone use and first attack of ischemic cerebrovascular disease in Taiwan.We conducted a case-control study using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. There were 2359 type 2 diabetic subjects aged ≥65 years with newly diagnosed ischemic cerebrovascular disease from 2005 to 2011 as the case group and 4592 sex- and age-matched, randomly selected type 2 diabetic subjects aged ≥65 years without ischemic cerebrovascular disease as the control group. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of ischemic cerebrovascular disease associated with pioglitazone use was measured by the multivariable unconditional logistic regression model.After adjustment for confounding factors, the multivariable logistic regression analysis disclosed that the adjusted ORs of first attack of ischemic cerebrovascular disease associated with cumulative duration of using pioglitazone were 3.34 for <1 year (95% CI 2.59-4.31), 2.53 for 1 to 2 years (95% CI 1.56-4.10), 2.20 for 2 to 3 years (95% CI 1.05-4.64), and 1.09 for ≥3 years (95% CI 0.55-2.15), respectively.Our findings suggest that pioglitazone use does not have a protective effect on primary prevention for ischemic cerebrovascular disease among older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus during the first 3 years of use. Whether using pioglitazone for >3 years would have primary prevention for ischemic cerebrovascular disease needs a long-term research to prove.

Appendectomy correlates with increased risk of pyogenic liver abscess: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan

Little is known on the association between appendectomy and pyogenic liver abscess. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between appendectomy and the risk of pyogenic liver abscess in Taiwan.This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the hospitalization dataset of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. There were 212,530 subjects age 20 to 84 years with newly diagnosed appendectomy as the appendectomy group since 1998 to 2010, and 850,099 randomly selected subjects without appendectomy as the nonappendectomy group. Both appendectomy and nonappendectomy groups were matched with sex, age, comorbidities, and index year of diagnosing appendectomy. The incidence of pyogenic liver abscess at the end of 2011 was estimated in both groups. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied to investigate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for risk of pyogenic liver abscess associated with appendectomy and other comorbidities including alcoholism, biliary stone, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver diseases, and diabetes mellitus.The overall incidence of pyogenic liver abscess was 1.73-fold greater in the appendectomy group than that in the nonappendectomy group (3.85 vs 2.22 per 10,000 person-years, 95% CI 1.71, 1.76). The multivariable regression analysis disclosed that the adjusted HR of pyogenic liver abscess was 1.77 for the appendectomy group (95% CI 1.59, 1.97), when compared with the nonappendectomy group.Appendectomy is associated with increased hazard of pyogenic liver abscess. Further studies remain necessary to confirm our findings.

No association between losartan use and acute pancreatitis in hypertensive patients

Background and objective

Clinical evidence is scarce about the relationship between losartan use and acute pancreatitis. We therefore conducted a population-based case-control study using the database from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program to investigate this question.

Methods

The study consisted of 1449 hypertensive subjects aged 20-84 years with a first episode of acute pancreatitis during the period 2000-2011 as the case group and 2479 hypertensive subjects without acute pancreatitis as the control group. Both the case and control groups were matched for sex, age, comorbidities and index year of acute pancreatitis diagnosis. According to the history of losartan prescription before the date of diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, subjects who had never received a prescription for losartan were defined as 'never use of losartan', those whose last remaining losartan tablet was detected within 7 days before the date of diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were defined as 'current use of losartan' and those whose last remaining tablet of losartan was detected ≥8 days before the date of diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were defined as 'late use of losartan'. ORs and 95% CIs were measured to investigate the risk of acute pancreatitis associated with losartan use by the multivariable unconditional logistic regression model.

Results

After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, the adjusted OR of acute pancreatitis was 0.96 (95% CI 0.68 to 1.37) for subjects with current use of losartan compared with those with never use of losartan, but the difference was not statistically significant. For subjects with late use of losartan the adjusted OR of acute pancreatitis was 1.05 (95% CI 0.80 to 1.37), which also was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

No significant association can be detected between losartan use and acute pancreatitis in hypertensive patients. More research is required to determine the potential role of losartan in the risk of acute pancreatitis.

Chronic Pancreatitis Correlates With Increased Risk of Cerebrovascular Disease: A Retrospective Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

The aim of this study is to explore whether there is a relationship between chronic pancreatitis and cerebrovascular disease in Taiwan. Using the claims data of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program, we identified 16,672 subjects aged 20 to 84 years with a new diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis from 2000 to 2010 as the chronic pancreatitis group. We randomly selected 65,877 subjects aged 20 to 84 years without chronic pancreatitis as the nonchronic pancreatitis group. Both groups were matched by sex, age, comorbidities, and the index year of diagnosing chronic pancreatitis. The incidence of cerebrovascular disease at the end of 2011 was measured. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to measure the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for cerebrovascular disease risk associated with chronic pancreatitis and other comorbidities. The overall incidence of cerebrovascular disease was 1.24-fold greater in the chronic pancreatitis group than that in the nonchronic pancreatitis group (14.2 vs. 11.5 per 1000 person-years, 95% CI = 1.19-1.30). After controlling for confounding factors, the adjusted HR of cerebrovascular disease was 1.27 (95% CI = 1.19-1.36) for the chronic pancreatitis group as compared with the nonchronic pancreatitis group. Woman (adjusted HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.31-1.51), age (every 1 year, HR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.04-1.05), atrial fibrillation (adjusted HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.02-1.48), chronic kidney disease (adjusted HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.31-1.67), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (adjusted HR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.16-1.40), diabetes mellitus (adjusted HR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.72-1.92), hypertension (adjusted HR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.56-1.76), and peripheral atherosclerosis (adjusted HR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.06-1.51) were other factors significantly associated with cerebrovascular disease. Chronic pancreatitis is associated with increased hazard of subsequent cerebrovascular disease.

Atrial fibrillation associated with acute pancreatitis: a retrospective cohort study in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

There is little data on the relationship between atrial fibrillation and acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether atrial fibrillation is associated with acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study analyzed the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program from 2000 to 2010. There were 8,981 subjects aged 20-84 with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation as the atrial fibrillation group and 26,643 sex- and age-matched, randomly selected subjects without atrial fibrillation as the non-atrial fibrillation group. We used the multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model to measure the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for acute pancreatitis risk associated with atrial fibrillation and other comorbidities.

RESULTS

The crude incidence rates of acute pancreatitis were 3.07 per 1,000 person-years in the atrial fibrillation group and 2.03 per 1,000 person-years in the non-atrial fibrillation group (incidence rate ratio 1.51, 95% CI 1.40, 1.63). After controlling for potential confounding factors, the adjusted HR of acute pancreatitis was 1.46 for the atrial fibrillation group, as compared with the non-atrial fibrillation group (95% CI 1.18, 1.80). In further analysis, even in the absence of alcohol-related disease and biliary stone, the adjusted HR of acute pancreatitis was 1.62 for the atrial fibrillation group, as compared with the non-atrial fibrillation group (95% CI 1.24, 2.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Atrial fibrillation is associated with acute pancreatitis in the Taiwanese population, even in the absence of alcohol-related disease and biliary stone. Further research is necessary to explore the pathogenesis underlying the relationship between atrial fibrillation and acute pancreatitis.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and risk of gallbladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

AIMS

Increasing evidence suggests that a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) may be involved in the development of various sites of cancer. However, the association with risk of gallbladder cancer remains unclear.

METHODS

We identified studies by a literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE through 31 August 2014 and by searching the reference lists of pertinent articles. All data were independently extracted by two investigators using a standardized data abstraction tool. Summary relative risks (SRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a random effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies (eight case-control studies and 12 cohort studies) were included in this meta-analysis. Analysis of these 20 studies found that compared with non-diabetic individuals, diabetic individuals had an increased risk of gallbladder cancer (SRR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.36-1.79). There was evidence of moderate heterogeneity among these studies (p = 0.010 and I(2)  = 43.5%). This increased risk relationship is independent of smoking, body mass index and a history of gallstones. However, whether or not controlled for, alcohol use may be one of the potential confounders that significantly affect the association between type 2 DM and the risk of gallbladder cancer. Diabetic women and men had a similarly increased risk of gallbladder cancer associated with type 2 DM.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings of this systematic review indicate that compared with non-diabetic individuals, both men and women with type 2 DM had an increased risk of gallbladder cancer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Medical conditions, family history of cancer, and the risk of biliary tract cancers

BACKGROUND

Scanty data exist on the role of personal medical conditions, except for gallstones, and family history of cancer on the risk of biliary tract cancers (BTC).

METHODS

We analyzed this issue using data from two Italian case-control studies, including 159 cases of BTC and 795 matched hospital controls. Odds ratios (ORs) of BTC and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Gallstones were associated with a 2-fold excess risk of BTC (95% CI 1.24-3.45). No significant associations were observed with other conditions investigated, including diabetes (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.63-2.11), hypertension (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.39-1.11), hyperlipidemia (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.31-1.21), allergy (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.29-1.40), gastroduodenal ulcer (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.24-1.12), hepatitis (OR 2.02, 95% CI 0.35-11.67), benign thyroid diseases (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.56-2.40), hysterectomy (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.53-2.68), unilateral oophorectomy (OR 1.75, 95% CI 0.44-6.93), and bilateral oophorectomy (OR 2.48, 95% CI 0.79-7.82). We found an excess risk of BTC in relation to family history of any cancer (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.03-2.24) and family history of gallbladder cancer (OR 3.83, 95% CI 0.59-24.75).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study confirms a strong association between BTC and history of gallstones, and provides further evidence of a positive association with family history of cancer.

Gallbladder cancer in Chile: what have we learned?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) should be considered an orphan disease in oncology and represent a unique carcinogenetic model. This review will analyse some of the current aspects of GBC.

RECENT FINDINGS

Chile has the highest incidence and mortality of GBC in the world. Most patients are diagnosed in advanced stages with few treatment options. During the last two decades, little progress has been made in early diagnosis and treatment. At the molecular level, recent access to next-generation sequencing and other techniques for detecting the mutations of multiple genes have made advances in this area.

SUMMARY

The use of therapies targeted according to the detection of specific molecular alterations is in the early stages of evaluation and could represent a significant advance in the treatment of a large number of patients from developing countries.

Gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer involving gastrointestinal tract, but it is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract, accounting for 80-95% of biliary tract cancers. This tumor is a highly lethal disease with an overall 5-year survival of less than 5% and mean survival mere than 6 months. An early diagnosis is essential as this malignancy progresses silently with a late diagnosis. The percentage of patients diagnosed to have gallbladder cancer after simple cholecystectomy for presumed gallbladder stone disease is 0.5-1.5%. Patients with preoperative suspicion of gallbladder cancer should not be treated by laparoscopy. Epidemiological studies have identified striking geographic and ethnic disparities-inordinately high occurrence in American Indians, elevated in Southeast Asia, yet quite low elsewhere in the Americas and the world. Environmental triggers play a critical role in eliciting cancer developing in the gallbladder, best exemplified by cholelithiasis and chronic inflammation from biliary tract and parasitic infections. Improved imaging modalities and improved radical aggressive surgical approach in the last decade has improved outcomes and helped prolong survival in patients with gallbladder cancer. The overall 5-year survival for patients with gallbladder cancer who underwent R0 curative resection was from 21% to 69%. In the future, the development of potential diagnostic markers for disease will yield screening opportunities for those at risk either with ethnic susceptibility or known anatomic anomalies of the biliary tract.

Gallbladder cancer: epidemiology and outcome

Gallbladder cancer, though generally considered rare, is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract, accounting for 80%-95% of biliary tract cancers. An early diagnosis is essential as this malignancy progresses silently with a late diagnosis, often proving fatal. Its carcinogenesis follows a progression through a metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence. This comprehensive review focuses on and explores the risks, management, and outcomes for primary gallbladder carcinoma. Epidemiological studies have identified striking geographic and ethnic disparities - inordinately high occurrence in American Indians, elevated in Southeast Asia, yet quite low elsewhere in the Americas and the world. Age, female sex, congenital biliary tract anomalies, and a genetic predisposition represent important risk factors that are immutable. Environmental triggers play a critical role in eliciting cancer developing in the gallbladder, best exemplified by cholelithiasis and chronic inflammation from biliary tract and parasitic infections. Mortality rates closely follow incidence; those countries with the highest prevalence of gallstones experience the greatest mortality from gallbladder cancer. Vague symptoms often delay the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, contributing to its overall progression and poor outcome. Surgery represents the only potential for cure. Some individuals are fortunate to be incidentally found to have gallbladder cancer at the time of cholecystectomy being performed for cholelithiasis. Such an early diagnosis is imperative as a late presentation connotes advanced staging, nodal involvement, and possible recurrence following attempted resection. Overall mean survival is a mere 6 months, while 5-year survival rate is only 5%. The dismal prognosis, in part, relates to the gallbladder lacking a serosal layer adjacent to the liver, enabling hepatic invasion and metastatic progression. Improved imaging modalities are helping to diagnose patients at an earlier stage. The last decade has witnessed improved outcomes as aggressive surgical management and preoperative adjuvant therapy has helped prolong survival in patients with gallbladder cancer. In the future, the development of potential diagnostic markers for disease will yield screening opportunities for those at risk either with ethnic susceptibility or known anatomic anomalies of the biliary tract. Meanwhile, clarification of the value of prophylactic cholecystectomy should provide an opportunity for secondary prevention. Primary prevention will arrive once the predictive biomarkers and environmental risk factors are more clearly identified.

Gallbladder cancer: epidemiology and outcome

Gallbladder cancer, though generally considered rare, is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract, accounting for 80%-95% of biliary tract cancers. An early diagnosis is essential as this malignancy progresses silently with a late diagnosis, often proving fatal. Its carcinogenesis follows a progression through a metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma sequence. This comprehensive review focuses on and explores the risks, management, and outcomes for primary gallbladder carcinoma. Epidemiological studies have identified striking geographic and ethnic disparities - inordinately high occurrence in American Indians, elevated in Southeast Asia, yet quite low elsewhere in the Americas and the world. Age, female sex, congenital biliary tract anomalies, and a genetic predisposition represent important risk factors that are immutable. Environmental triggers play a critical role in eliciting cancer developing in the gallbladder, best exemplified by cholelithiasis and chronic inflammation from biliary tract and parasitic infections. Mortality rates closely follow incidence; those countries with the highest prevalence of gallstones experience the greatest mortality from gallbladder cancer. Vague symptoms often delay the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, contributing to its overall progression and poor outcome. Surgery represents the only potential for cure. Some individuals are fortunate to be incidentally found to have gallbladder cancer at the time of cholecystectomy being performed for cholelithiasis. Such an early diagnosis is imperative as a late presentation connotes advanced staging, nodal involvement, and possible recurrence following attempted resection. Overall mean survival is a mere 6 months, while 5-year survival rate is only 5%. The dismal prognosis, in part, relates to the gallbladder lacking a serosal layer adjacent to the liver, enabling hepatic invasion and metastatic progression. Improved imaging modalities are helping to diagnose patients at an earlier stage. The last decade has witnessed improved outcomes as aggressive surgical management and preoperative adjuvant therapy has helped prolong survival in patients with gallbladder cancer. In the future, the development of potential diagnostic markers for disease will yield screening opportunities for those at risk either with ethnic susceptibility or known anatomic anomalies of the biliary tract. Meanwhile, clarification of the value of prophylactic cholecystectomy should provide an opportunity for secondary prevention. Primary prevention will arrive once the predictive biomarkers and environmental risk factors are more clearly identified.

Gallbladder cancer: epidemiology and outcome

Gallbladder cancer, though generally considered rare, is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract, accounting for 80%–95% of biliary tract cancers. An early diagnosis is essential as this malignancy progresses silently with a late diagnosis, often proving fatal. Its carcinogenesis follows a progression through a metaplasia–dysplasia–carcinoma sequence. This comprehensive review focuses on and explores the risks, management, and outcomes for primary gallbladder carcinoma. Epidemiological studies have identified striking geographic and ethnic disparities – inordinately high occurrence in American Indians, elevated in Southeast Asia, yet quite low elsewhere in the Americas and the world. Age, female sex, congenital biliary tract anomalies, and a genetic predisposition represent important risk factors that are immutable. Environmental triggers play a critical role in eliciting cancer developing in the gallbladder, best exemplified by cholelithiasis and chronic inflammation from biliary tract and parasitic infections. Mortality rates closely follow incidence; those countries with the highest prevalence of gallstones experience the greatest mortality from gallbladder cancer. Vague symptoms often delay the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, contributing to its overall progression and poor outcome. Surgery represents the only potential for cure. Some individuals are fortunate to be incidentally found to have gallbladder cancer at the time of cholecystectomy being performed for cholelithiasis. Such an early diagnosis is imperative as a late presentation connotes advanced staging, nodal involvement, and possible recurrence following attempted resection. Overall mean survival is a mere 6 months, while 5-year survival rate is only 5%. The dismal prognosis, in part, relates to the gallbladder lacking a serosal layer adjacent to the liver, enabling hepatic invasion and metastatic progression. Improved imaging modalities are helping to diagnose patients at an earlier stage. The last decade has witnessed improved outcomes as aggressive surgical management and preoperative adjuvant therapy has helped prolong survival in patients with gallbladder cancer. In the future, the development of potential diagnostic markers for disease will yield screening opportunities for those at risk either with ethnic susceptibility or known anatomic anomalies of the biliary tract. Meanwhile, clarification of the value of prophylactic cholecystectomy should provide an opportunity for secondary prevention. Primary prevention will arrive once the predictive biomarkers and environmental risk factors are more clearly identified.