Risk factors for gallbladder cancer: A case–control study

Risk factors for gallbladder cancer (GBC) except gallstones are not well known. The objective was to study the risk factors for GBC. In a case-control study, 200 patients with GBC, 200 healthy controls and 200 gallstones patients as diseased controls were included prospectively. The risk factors studied were related to socioeconomic profile, life style, reproduction, diet and bile acids. On comparing GBC patients (mean age 51.7 years; 130 females) with healthy controls, risk factors were chemical exposure odd ratios (OR): 7.0 (2.7-18.2); p < 0.001), family history of gallstones OR: 5.3 (1.5-18.9); p < 0.01), tobacco OR: 4.1 (1.8-9.7); p < 0.001), fried foods OR: 3.1 (1.7-5.6); p < 0.001, joint family OR: 3.2 (1.7-6.2); p < 0.001, long interval between meals OR: 1.4 (1.2-1.6); p < 0.001 and residence in Gangetic belt OR: 3.3 (1.8-6.2); p < 0.001. On comparing GBC cases with gallstone controls, risk factors were female gender OR: 2.4 (1.3-4.3); p = 0.004, residence in Gangetic belt OR: 2.3 (1.2-4.4); p = 0.012, fried foods OR: 2.5 (1.4-4.4); p < 0.001, diabetes OR: 2.7 (1.2-6.4); p = 0.02), tobacco OR 3.8 (1.7-8.1); p < 0.001) and joint family OR: 2.1 (1.2-3.4); p = 0.004. The ratio of secondary to primary bile acids was significantly higher in GBC cases than gallstone controls (20.8 vs. 0.44). Fried foods, tobacco, chemical exposure, family history of gallstones, residence in Gangetic belt and secondary bile acids were significant risk factors for GBC.