Controversial risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma

Introduction Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare malignancy accounting for 3% of gastrointestinal cancers in the USA. While multiple risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma are established, other potential risk factors are still controversial. Herein, we used a large national database to investigate possible risk factors and associations. Method We used the National Inpatient Sample database to review all admissions between 2011 and 2015. We grouped patients based on the presence and absence of cholangiocarcinoma. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, we assessed the association between obesity, alcohol abuse, smoking, diabetes mellitus and cholangiocarcinoma. Results Out of 30 9552 95 admissions, 20 030 had cholangiocarcinoma. Cholangiocarcinoma patients were older (67 +/- 12.8 vs. 57 +/- 20.6; P < 0.001) and had fewer female patients (48 vs. 59%; P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus was associated with cholangiocarcinoma (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08; P < 0.001). On the other hand, alcohol, smoking and obesity were all inversely associated with cholangiocarcinoma (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.69-0.81; P < 0.001), (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.71-0.79; P < 0.001) and (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.67-0.75; P < 0.001), respectively. In addition, compared to Whites, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander races were more associated with cholangiocarcinoma (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.21-1.34) and (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.67-1.92) (P < 0.001 for all), respectively, whereas African American race was inversely associated with cholangiocarcinoma (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.81-0.89; P < 0.001). Conclusion Patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or from certain ethnic groups (Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander) are associated with increased risk for cholangiocarcinoma.

Automated summary

The study using a national inpatient database found that diabetes mellitus is associated with cholangiocarcinoma, while alcohol abuse, smoking, and obesity are inversely associated with cholangiocarcinoma. Compared to Whites, Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander races are more likely to have cholangiocarcinoma, whereas African American race is less likely to have cholangiocarcinoma.