Prevalence and risk factors of gallbladder polypoid lesions in Chinese petrochemical employees

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 invitedto 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 postcholecystectomy, 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.

Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Technique in the Use of Fractional Flow Reserve in Complex Coronary Artery Lesions

Background:Fractional flow reserve (FFR) has become an increasingly important index when making decisions with respect to revascularization of coronary artery stenosis.However,the pressure guidewire used in obtaining FFR measurements is difficult to control and manipulate in certain complex coronary artery lesions,resulting in increased fluoroscopy time and contrast dye usage.This study examined a novel (NOV) technique for obtaining FFR measurements in hope of easing the difficulties associated with evaluating and treating complex coronary artery lesions.Methods:Fifty-six patients with complex coronary artery lesions were assigned to a conventional (CON) FFR technique group or a NOV FFR technique group.The NOV technique involved the use of a balloon and wire exchange within the coronary artery.The fluoroscopy time,contrast dye usage,and FFR-related complications were assessed after completing the FFR measurement procedure for each patient.Results:The median time required for fluoroscopy in the NOV technique group was significantly less than that in the CON technique group; additionally,lesser amounts of contrast dye were used in the NOV technique group (both P ＜ 0.05).The NOV technique was successfully performed in thirty patients,without any FFR-related complications.However,the CON technique failed in three patients,including two who experienced coronary artery spasms (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions:Compared to the CON technique used for measuring FFR,the new technique reduced the fluoroscopy time and amount of contrast dye used when evaluating complex coronary artery lesions.The new technique did not increase the risk of operation or decrease the success rate.