BACKGROUND: The incidence of colorectal polyps have been reported to be increasing in those aged 30-40 years who consume fast food, have low physical activity, and use alcohol and cigarettes. We analyzed the characteristics and risk factors of colorectal polyps in asymptomatic adults in Jeju Island. METHODS: Data on 1700 individuals who underwent a screening colonoscopy from 1 July, 2010 to 30 June, 2012 were analyzed based on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood tests, and behavioral habits including alcohol use, smoking, and exercise. RESULTS: The prevalence of colorectal polyps, including adenomatous and hyperplastic, is 43.1% and is higher in males (P<0.001). The prevalence according to age group shows increasing by age (P for trend<0.001). The most common histologic type of polyp is adenomatous in the <50 years and >50 years age groups, 27.3% and 45.3% respectively. And the percentage of adenomatous polyps has shown an increasing trend along with increasing number and size of polyps (P for trend<0.001). BMI, waist circumference (WC), fasting blood sugar, and triglyceride were higher in males with polyps than males in the control group. BMI and WC were higher and HDL-cholesterol was lower in females with polyps. The incidence of colorectal polyps was higher in male and female smokers (P<0.001 and P=0.035 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that older age, male gender, obesity, and smoking are risk factors for colorectal polyps. The prevalence of colorectal adenomatous polyps is 27.3% in <50 yrs, 33.4% in the 40s. For early detection and treatment, we recommend a screening colonoscopy for those with risk factors.
Adenomatous Polyps ; Adult ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Colonoscopy ; Fast Foods ; Fasting ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Polyps* ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

To know the infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae in brackish water fish, we surveyed mullets collected from 18 coastal areas in the Republic of Korea. The metacercariae of Pygidiopsis summa were detected in 236 (68.2%) out of 346 mullets examined. They were found in mullets from 15 areas except for those from Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do), Pohang-si, and Uljin-gun (Gyeongsangbuk-do). Especially in mullets from Taean-gun (Chungcheongnam-do) and Geoje-si (Gyeongsangnam-do), their prevalences were 100% and 95.5%, and the average metacercarial density was more than 1,000 per fish. They were also detected in mullets from 3 coastal lakes, Gyeongpoho, Songjiho, and Hwajinpoho, in Gangwon-do, and their average densities were 419, 147, and 672 per infected fish, respectively. The metacercariae of 5 other heterophyid species, including Heterophyes nocens, Heterophyopsis continua, Metagonimus sp., Stictodora fuscata, and Stictodora lari, were found in the mullets examined. The metacercariae of H. nocens were detected in 66.7, 100, 28.6, 81.6, 3.9, 61.5, and 27.3% of mullets from Muan-gun, Shinan-gun, Haenam-gun, Gangjin-gun, and Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do), Hadong-gun, and Geoje-si (Gyeongsangnam-do), and their metacercarial intensities were 64, 84, 119, 99, 1, 24, and 24 per fish infected, respectively. From the above results, it has been confirmed that P. summa metacercariae are heavily infected in mullets from coastal areas of Korea. It is suggested that residents who frequently consume raw mullet dish can be easily infected with heterophyid flukes.
Gangwon-do ; Heterophyidae ; Korea ; Lakes ; Metacercariae ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea* ; Saline Waters ; Smegmamorpha* ; Trematoda