ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the potential risk factors of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in China.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A case-control study including 317 patients with pathologically confirmed ICC and 634 healthy individuals was conducted. The cases and controls were matched in age, sex and inhabitancy. Data were statistically analyzed by Chi-square test and conditional logistic regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Univariate analysis showed significant difference in HBsAg seropositivity, liver cirrhosis, hepatolithiasis, choledocholithiasis and schistosomiasis between ICC patients and healthy controls (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that HBsAg seropositivity, liver cirrhosis, hepatolithiasis and hepatic schistosomiasis were associated with ICC, and their adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) were 10.265 (6.676-15.783), 13.101 (5.265-32.604), 18.242 (3.580-92.958), 18.435 (1.930-176.082), 15.102 (4.607-49.499) and 11.820 (3.522-39.668), respectively. The incidence of hepatic cyst, cholecystolithiasis, hepatic hemangioma, fatty liver, diabetes mellitus, smoking and drinking were not significantly different between ICC patients and controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The HBV infection, liver cirrhosis, hepatolithiasis and hepatic schistosomiasis may be the risk factors for ICC in China.</p>