This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gallstones/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasms/etiology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To understand the relationship between sleep duration and cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities (CMM) in middle-aged and elderly people in China.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study, based on the data of China Health and Retirement Tracing Survey (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2015, and included middle-aged and elderly people aged≥45 years in the cohort study. Age, gender, marital status, residence, education, smoking status, alcohol status, body mass index, history of diabetes, history of dyslipidemia, history of hypertension, history of stroke, history of heart disease, history of mental illness, depression scale score were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between daily sleep duration and the risk of CMM onset and to construct four models with stepwise adjusted covariates. A stratified analysis was established based on demographic factors, lifestyle factors, metabolic factors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular factors, and psychological factors. Meanwhile, a subgroup analysis was established according to different combinations of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases to explore the association between sleep length and the risk of CMM in different populations.Results:A total of 297 (4.4%) of the 6 788 included participants experienced CMM. In the multivariate logistic regression, the RR value (95% CI) for the risk of CMM for>9 h was 1.99 (1.86-2.08) and 1.78 (1.64-1.92), respectively (all P<0.001). The stratified analysis showed that the risk of CMM incidence between sleep duration<7 h and>9 h was associated in people with different age, sex, residence, smoking status, drinking status, body mass index, hypertension, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dyslipidemia, and depression (all P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that sleep duration<7 h with both diabetes, heart disease and stroke had the highest risk of CMM ( RR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.65-2.14). Conclusion:In the middle-aged and elderly group in China, there is a U-shaped association between sleep duration and CMM, that is, insufficient or too long sleep duration throughout the day is related to the increased risk of CMM.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence and influencing factors of arteriosclerosis in different examination items in health check-up population.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 4 479 subjects who underwent fundus, carotid artery color ultrasound and arteriosclerosis detector examinations in the Health Management Center at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January to December 2019 were selected as the study objects. The data including age, gender, family history and biochemical indicators were collected. The detection outcomes of arteriosclerosis and the distribution in different age and gender subgroups were analyzed. Kappa consistency test was used to analyze the consistency of different examination items of arteriosclerosis examination. The multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of different examination items of arteriosclerosis detection. Results:Among the 4 479 subjects included in the analysis, 2 450 were male and 2 029 were female, with a mean age of (44.48±8.12) years. Arteriosclerosis was detected in one examination item in 1 167 cases (26.05%), 1 042 cases (23.26%) in two examination items, and 617 cases (13.78%) in three examination items, respectively. Among patients aged ≤40 years, 149 cases (18.91%) were detected with arteriosclerosis. In the age group of 40<-60 years, arteriosclerosis was detected in 2 660 patients (72.40%). All patients >60 years old exhibited arteriosclerosis, with 16 cases (94.12%) showing ≥2 items of arteriosclerosis. The results of fundus and carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound, fundus and arteriosclerosis detector, carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound and arteriosclerosis detector all demonstrated moderate consistency ( Kappa=0.32, 0.34, 0.24; all P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the age ( OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.97-2.17), male ( OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.14-2.23), body mass index ( OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.15), and systolic blood pressure ( OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03) were positively correlated with fundus arteriosclerosis (all P<0.05). Similarly, age ( OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.12-1.14), male ( OR=2.53, 95% CI: 2.07-3.09), systolic blood pressure ( OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.16-2.23) were positively correlated with cervical arteriosclerosis, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.32-0.72) was negatively correlated with cervical arteriosclerosis (all P<0.05). Furthermore, age ( OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.08-1.11), male ( OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.25-1.92), systolic blood pressure ( OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.07-1.09), diastolic blood pressure ( OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03), postprandial blood glucose ( OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.15), homocysteine ( OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03), and fibrinogen ( OR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.52) were positively correlated with systemic arterial stiffness (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The detection rates of arteriosclerosis in different examination items among the health check-up population vary. Age, male gender and systolic blood pressure are positive correlation factors for the three detection items of arteriosclerosis. For the examinees with aggregated risk factors, the multi-site and combined screening mode has certain significance for the early diagnosis and screening of arteriosclerotic diseases.

Objective:To analyze the detection status and its influencing factors of ovarian-adnexal masses in the physical examination population based on the Ovarian-Adnexal Imaging Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) of the American College of Radiology.Methods:This cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 24 316 physical examination participants who underwent gynecological color Doppler ultrasound examinations at the Health Management Center of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January to December 2021. The subjects were classified and followed-up according to O-RADS, and the detection rate and malignancy rate of ovarian-adnexal masses in different classifications were compared. According to O-RADS classification criteria, the physical examination population were divided into healthy control group (without ovarian-adnexal masses and O-RADS 1 class, 23 188 cases), benign group (O-RADS 2 class, 946 cases) and malignant group (O-RADS 3-5 class, 182 cases). The basic information of the three groups were compared, including age, body mass index (BMI), menopausal status, marital status, smoking history, drinking history, physical exercise, complete blood count, blood glucose, blood lipids, tumor markers, etc. The logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the detection of ovarian-adnexal masses.Results:A total of 24 316 individuals were included, 1 678 with ovario-adnexal masses were screened, among the cases, there were 550 normal premenopausal ovaries (32.78%), and 1 128 cases were confirmed with pathological masses (67.22%). Of the 318 cases with follow-up records, the malignancy rate for O-RADS 4 class was 50%, and for O-RADS 5 class, it was 100%, according to the follow-up results. The age ( OR=1.320, 95% CI: 1.055-1.653), BMI ( OR=0.972, 95% CI: 0.954-0.989), carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125) ( OR=1.090, 95% CI: 1.023-1.161), postmenopausal ( OR=0.919, 95% CI: 0.892-0.947) and married and cohabiting ( OR=0.921, 95% CI: 0.895-0.949) were positively correlated with risk of ovarian-adnexal masses (all P0.05). Conclusions:The O-RADS classification system has high application value in evaluating the malignant risk of ovarian-adnexal masses; the age, BMI, CA125 levels, menopausal status, and marital status are significant influencing factors for the detection of ovarian-adnexal masses.

Objective:To investigate the association between triglyceride glucose index (TyG) and early vascular aging measured by brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in young and middle-aged population.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 5 680 subjects aged 20 to 59 years who underwent health check-ups at the Health Management Center of General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January to December in 2020 were selected as the research subjects. All the research subjects completed the health risk assessment questionnaire, physical examination, laboratory test, and multi-functional vascular lesion detection. The TyG was calculated and the research subjects were divided into four groups with the quartiles of TyG (Q 1 to Q 4, with a cut-off value of 8.22, 8.60 and 9.01, respectively). The baPWV value was converted into a Z-score, and those with a Z-score above the 95th percentile were defined as having early vascular aging. The Spearman correlation method, multiple linear regression model, binary logistic regression model and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to analyze the association between TyG and early vascular aging. Results:Among the 5 680 middle-aged and young people included in the analysis, there were 3 117 males and 2 563 females, with an age of 46 (39, 52) years, a TyG of 8.60 (8.22, 9.01), and a baPWV of 1 279.25 (1 147.50, 1 434.25) cm/s. The prevalence rate of early vascular aging was 5.02% (285/5 680). Taking group Q 1 as the reference, in the multiple linear regression model adjusted for multiple factors, group Q 4 was significantly associated with a 47.64 (95% CI: 28.18-67.11) cm/s increase in baPWV ( P for trend<0.001). In the multivariate adjusted binary logistic regression model, compared with that in the Q 1 group, the OR of early vascular aging occurrence in the Q 2, Q 3, and Q 4 groups was 1.52 (95% CI: 0.75-3.07), 1.78 (95% CI: 0.89-3.58), and 3.04 (95% CI: 1.47-6.31), respectively. Elevated TyG level was positively correlated with the occurrence of early vascular aging ( P for trend<0.001). The AUC of TyG in predicting early vascular aging was 0.732 (95% CI: 0.704-0.759), with the optimal cut-off value being 8.86. The AUC of TyG in predicting early vascular aging in males was lower than that in females [0.665 (95% CI: 0.628-0.702) vs 0.796 (95% CI: 0.748-0.843)] ( P<0.001). Conclusions:There is a correlation between TyG and early vascular aging measured by baPWV in the middle-aged and young population. When TyG≥8.86, clinical intervention measures should be taken in a timely manner.

Objective:To understand the relationship between sleep duration and cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities (CMM) in middle-aged and elderly people in China.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study, based on the data of China Health and Retirement Tracing Survey (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2015, and included middle-aged and elderly people aged≥45 years in the cohort study. Age, gender, marital status, residence, education, smoking status, alcohol status, body mass index, history of diabetes, history of dyslipidemia, history of hypertension, history of stroke, history of heart disease, history of mental illness, depression scale score were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between daily sleep duration and the risk of CMM onset and to construct four models with stepwise adjusted covariates. A stratified analysis was established based on demographic factors, lifestyle factors, metabolic factors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular factors, and psychological factors. Meanwhile, a subgroup analysis was established according to different combinations of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases to explore the association between sleep length and the risk of CMM in different populations.Results:A total of 297 (4.4%) of the 6 788 included participants experienced CMM. In the multivariate logistic regression, the RR value (95% CI) for the risk of CMM for>9 h was 1.99 (1.86-2.08) and 1.78 (1.64-1.92), respectively (all P<0.001). The stratified analysis showed that the risk of CMM incidence between sleep duration<7 h and>9 h was associated in people with different age, sex, residence, smoking status, drinking status, body mass index, hypertension, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dyslipidemia, and depression (all P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that sleep duration<7 h with both diabetes, heart disease and stroke had the highest risk of CMM ( RR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.65-2.14). Conclusion:In the middle-aged and elderly group in China, there is a U-shaped association between sleep duration and CMM, that is, insufficient or too long sleep duration throughout the day is related to the increased risk of CMM.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence and influencing factors of arteriosclerosis in different examination items in health check-up population.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 4 479 subjects who underwent fundus, carotid artery color ultrasound and arteriosclerosis detector examinations in the Health Management Center at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January to December 2019 were selected as the study objects. The data including age, gender, family history and biochemical indicators were collected. The detection outcomes of arteriosclerosis and the distribution in different age and gender subgroups were analyzed. Kappa consistency test was used to analyze the consistency of different examination items of arteriosclerosis examination. The multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of different examination items of arteriosclerosis detection. Results:Among the 4 479 subjects included in the analysis, 2 450 were male and 2 029 were female, with a mean age of (44.48±8.12) years. Arteriosclerosis was detected in one examination item in 1 167 cases (26.05%), 1 042 cases (23.26%) in two examination items, and 617 cases (13.78%) in three examination items, respectively. Among patients aged ≤40 years, 149 cases (18.91%) were detected with arteriosclerosis. In the age group of 40<-60 years, arteriosclerosis was detected in 2 660 patients (72.40%). All patients >60 years old exhibited arteriosclerosis, with 16 cases (94.12%) showing ≥2 items of arteriosclerosis. The results of fundus and carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound, fundus and arteriosclerosis detector, carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound and arteriosclerosis detector all demonstrated moderate consistency ( Kappa=0.32, 0.34, 0.24; all P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the age ( OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.97-2.17), male ( OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.14-2.23), body mass index ( OR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.15), and systolic blood pressure ( OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03) were positively correlated with fundus arteriosclerosis (all P<0.05). Similarly, age ( OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.12-1.14), male ( OR=2.53, 95% CI: 2.07-3.09), systolic blood pressure ( OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.16-2.23) were positively correlated with cervical arteriosclerosis, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( OR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.32-0.72) was negatively correlated with cervical arteriosclerosis (all P<0.05). Furthermore, age ( OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.08-1.11), male ( OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.25-1.92), systolic blood pressure ( OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.07-1.09), diastolic blood pressure ( OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03), postprandial blood glucose ( OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.15), homocysteine ( OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03), and fibrinogen ( OR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.52) were positively correlated with systemic arterial stiffness (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The detection rates of arteriosclerosis in different examination items among the health check-up population vary. Age, male gender and systolic blood pressure are positive correlation factors for the three detection items of arteriosclerosis. For the examinees with aggregated risk factors, the multi-site and combined screening mode has certain significance for the early diagnosis and screening of arteriosclerotic diseases.

Objective:To analyze the detection status and its influencing factors of ovarian-adnexal masses in the physical examination population based on the Ovarian-Adnexal Imaging Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) of the American College of Radiology.Methods:This cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 24 316 physical examination participants who underwent gynecological color Doppler ultrasound examinations at the Health Management Center of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January to December 2021. The subjects were classified and followed-up according to O-RADS, and the detection rate and malignancy rate of ovarian-adnexal masses in different classifications were compared. According to O-RADS classification criteria, the physical examination population were divided into healthy control group (without ovarian-adnexal masses and O-RADS 1 class, 23 188 cases), benign group (O-RADS 2 class, 946 cases) and malignant group (O-RADS 3-5 class, 182 cases). The basic information of the three groups were compared, including age, body mass index (BMI), menopausal status, marital status, smoking history, drinking history, physical exercise, complete blood count, blood glucose, blood lipids, tumor markers, etc. The logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the detection of ovarian-adnexal masses.Results:A total of 24 316 individuals were included, 1 678 with ovario-adnexal masses were screened, among the cases, there were 550 normal premenopausal ovaries (32.78%), and 1 128 cases were confirmed with pathological masses (67.22%). Of the 318 cases with follow-up records, the malignancy rate for O-RADS 4 class was 50%, and for O-RADS 5 class, it was 100%, according to the follow-up results. The age ( OR=1.320, 95% CI: 1.055-1.653), BMI ( OR=0.972, 95% CI: 0.954-0.989), carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125) ( OR=1.090, 95% CI: 1.023-1.161), postmenopausal ( OR=0.919, 95% CI: 0.892-0.947) and married and cohabiting ( OR=0.921, 95% CI: 0.895-0.949) were positively correlated with risk of ovarian-adnexal masses (all P0.05). Conclusions:The O-RADS classification system has high application value in evaluating the malignant risk of ovarian-adnexal masses; the age, BMI, CA125 levels, menopausal status, and marital status are significant influencing factors for the detection of ovarian-adnexal masses.

Objective:To investigate the association between triglyceride glucose index (TyG) and early vascular aging measured by brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in young and middle-aged population.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 5 680 subjects aged 20 to 59 years who underwent health check-ups at the Health Management Center of General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January to December in 2020 were selected as the research subjects. All the research subjects completed the health risk assessment questionnaire, physical examination, laboratory test, and multi-functional vascular lesion detection. The TyG was calculated and the research subjects were divided into four groups with the quartiles of TyG (Q 1 to Q 4, with a cut-off value of 8.22, 8.60 and 9.01, respectively). The baPWV value was converted into a Z-score, and those with a Z-score above the 95th percentile were defined as having early vascular aging. The Spearman correlation method, multiple linear regression model, binary logistic regression model and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to analyze the association between TyG and early vascular aging. Results:Among the 5 680 middle-aged and young people included in the analysis, there were 3 117 males and 2 563 females, with an age of 46 (39, 52) years, a TyG of 8.60 (8.22, 9.01), and a baPWV of 1 279.25 (1 147.50, 1 434.25) cm/s. The prevalence rate of early vascular aging was 5.02% (285/5 680). Taking group Q 1 as the reference, in the multiple linear regression model adjusted for multiple factors, group Q 4 was significantly associated with a 47.64 (95% CI: 28.18-67.11) cm/s increase in baPWV ( P for trend<0.001). In the multivariate adjusted binary logistic regression model, compared with that in the Q 1 group, the OR of early vascular aging occurrence in the Q 2, Q 3, and Q 4 groups was 1.52 (95% CI: 0.75-3.07), 1.78 (95% CI: 0.89-3.58), and 3.04 (95% CI: 1.47-6.31), respectively. Elevated TyG level was positively correlated with the occurrence of early vascular aging ( P for trend<0.001). The AUC of TyG in predicting early vascular aging was 0.732 (95% CI: 0.704-0.759), with the optimal cut-off value being 8.86. The AUC of TyG in predicting early vascular aging in males was lower than that in females [0.665 (95% CI: 0.628-0.702) vs 0.796 (95% CI: 0.748-0.843)] ( P<0.001). Conclusions:There is a correlation between TyG and early vascular aging measured by baPWV in the middle-aged and young population. When TyG≥8.86, clinical intervention measures should be taken in a timely manner.