Atherosclerosis in relation to cholelithiasis and cholesterolosis

The frequency of cholelithiasis and cholesterolosis was remarkably similar in Prague and Malmö subjects. When the possible effects of associated hypertension or diabetes mellitus were taken into account, subjects with cholelithiasis showed the same extent of raised and calcified lesions of the coronary arteries, the same prevalence of large myocardial scars, and the same distribution of heart weight as subjects without cholelithiasis. In general, they showed rather fewer raised and calcified lesions of the aorta, less coronary stenosis, and fewer fresh myocardial infarctions than subjects without cholelithiasis. Subjects with cholesterolosis were similar to those without this condition in respect of raised lesions of the aorta and coronary arteries. Men with cholesterolosis had slightly more aortic calcification and slightly less coronary calcification. Women with cholesterolosis had slightly less coronary stenosis than those without cholesterolosis. There was a slight tendency for those with cholesterolosis to show an increased frequency of fresh myocardial infarction and large myocardial scars and to have a higher heart weight.