Risk factors for colorectal polyps: findings from a Greek case-control study.

There is a body of evidence showing that several lifestyle and dietary factors are associated with colorectal polyps' formation; however, the magnitude of this association in diverse populations remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate this association in a Greek sample.

METHODS

The study comprised of 52 subjects with histologically confirmed advanced colorectal polyps and 52 healthy controls. Data concerning lifestyle and dietary factors were collected using a validated questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals after adjustment for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Physical activity level (95% CI 0.032-0.953, P = 0.044) and consumption of yoghurt (95% CI 0.969-0.996, P = 0.024), cheese (95% CI 0.932-0.996, P = 0.030), fish (95% CI 0.782-0.964, P = 0.008), vegetables (95% CI 0.965-0.998, P = 0.029), and garlic (95% CI 0.005-0.671, P = 0.022) were inversely associated with colorectal polyps. Increasing age (95% CI 1.005-1.231, P = 0.039) and central obesity (95% CI 1.001-1.019, P = 0.025) were strongly associated with their presence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that a cluster of modifiable risk factors have significant impact on colorectal polyps' occurrence in Greek population.