The risk of coronary heart disease after diagnosis of gallbladder polyp: a retrospective nationwide population-based cohort study

Gallbladder polyp (GP) is diagnosed based on the presence of soft tissue mass within the gallbladder wall, and ultrasonography has over 90% of sensitivity and specificity in ascertaining the diagnosis of GP (1-3). GPs are classified into true polyps and pseudopolyps; the former include adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and the latter mainly include cholesterol polyps and inflammatory polyps. About 70% of GPs are cholesterol polyps, and the prevalence of true GPs is only approximately 4–7%. Most GPs are clinically diagnosed based on ultrasonography and only few undergo surgery to have histopathological confirmation. Most studies of GPs have focused on the prevalence or the associated risk factors; nevertheless, the clinicians are mainly concerned about the indication for surgery although the malignant potential of GP is quite low (4-6)