Asymptomatic gallstones and related risk factors in Iran

Gallstone is a common disease worldwide. Ultrasound is known to be highly reliable in the diagnosis of gallbladder disease. Asymptomatic cholelithiasis is increasingly diagnosed today, mainly as a result of the widespread use of abdominal sonography for the evaluation of patients for unrelated or vague abdominal complaints. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic gallstones and some of its risk factors in this population by ultrasound profile.

The patient population consisted of those (outpatients and inpatients) referred to Imam Reza Hospital of Birjand for diagnostic ultrasonography and without any gallbladder symptoms. Patients were considered asymptomatic if gallstones had been diagnosed after ultrasonography and there was no history of biliary origin pain, or if there was a documented unrelated explanation for the pain.

A total number of 599 patients were included and prevalence of asymptomatic gallstone was 2.5%. Gallstone disease was detected in 4.4% (8/182) of patients older than 40 years vs. 1.7% (7/417) of patients under 40 years old (OR=2.69). Also BMI ³25 (OR=4.42), diabetes mellitus (OR=26.18), and parity ³3 (OR=4.92) were significantly higher in gallstone disease (p<0.05).

The prevalence of gallstone disease in Iran is low. There was a positive correlation between prevalence of gallstone with age, BMI, diabetes mellitus and number of parity.