Brief Reports
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2005. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2005; 11(28): 4431-4434
Published online Jul 28, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i28.4431
Risk factors for primary liver carcinoma in Chinese population
Rui-Hong Luo, Zhi-Xin Zhao, Xu-Yu Zhou, Zhi-Liang Gao, Ji-Lu Yao
Rui-Hong Luo, Zhi-Xin Zhao, Zhi-Liang Gao, Ji-Lu Yao, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China
Xu-Yu Zhou, Medical Information Institute, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510089, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Rui-Hong Luo, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China ruihongluo2002@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-20-85263061
Received: October 9, 2004
Revised: November 23, 2004
Accepted: November 24, 2004
Published online: July 28, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the risk factors for primary liver carcinoma (PLC) in Chinese population.

METHODS: Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Hospital Knowledge Database and MEDLINE were searched. All the related literatures were screened, and the risk factors for PLC in Chinese population were studied. Heterogeneity was evaluated by odds ratio (OR) q test. Combined OR and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated, the association between the investigated risk factors and PLC was determined. Validity and bias of the findings were evaluated by sensitivity analysis and funnel plot analysis respectively.

RESULTS: Fifty-five of one hundred and ninety identified studies were accepted according to the inclusive criteria. Ten factors related to PLC were demonstrated by sensitive analysis and funnel plot analysis. They were cirrhosis (OR = 11.97, P = 0.000), HBV infection (OR = 11.34, P = 0.000), HCV infection (OR = 4.28, P = 0.000), family history of liver cancer (OR = 3.49, P = 0.000), unstable emotion (OR = 2.20, P = 0.000), depressed characters (OR = 3.07, P = 0.000), aflatoxin (OR = 1.80, P = 0.000), alcoholic (OR = 1.88, P = 0.000), intake of musty food (OR = 1.87, P = 0.000) and drinking contaminated water from pond (OR = 1.77, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION: The main risk factors for PLC in China are liver diseases, family history of liver carcinoma, poor psychic status, aflatoxin, and some unhealthy behaviors.

Keywords: Primary carcinoma; Liver; Meta-analysis; Risk factor