Background

Although several epidemiologic studies have revealed that our dietary factors, obesity and alcohol are associated with an increased incidence of colon cancer, association of these factors with colorectal polyps is unclear. In this study, we tried to investigate the association between colorectal polyps and lifestyle factors in Korean adults.

Methods
Rectosigmoidoscopy was performed on all subjects from January 2001 to December 2001 at Ulsan University Hospital Health Promotion Center. Self-administered questionnaire for drinking and other life style factors was done.

Results
Among the 1,102 cases in which sigmoidoscopy examination was performed by a family physician, the prevalence of colorectal polyps was 17.6%. Smoking and drinking were significant risk factors for colon polyps. After adjusting for age and sex, using multiple logistic regression, the odds ratio of subjects with 20 pack years or more of smoking compared with the non-smoking subjects was 2.503 (95% CI: 1.277∼3.299). Compared with non-drinking subjects, adjusted odds ratio in group with 3 or more times of drinking per week group was 2.833 (95% CI: 1.623∼4.945). The odds ratio for the highest exercise group, compared with the lowest group was 0.539 (95% CI: 0.336∼0.867). Exercise was associated inversely with colon polyps. Obesity was statistically insignificant in this study.

Conclusion
These results showed that drinking and smoking were positively associated with colorectal polyps, but it was associated inversely with exercise.