Lifestyle and gallstone disease: scope for primary prevention

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Gallstone disease is a prevalent condition with significant morbidity.
• Understanding antecedent risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle risk factors associated with gallstone disease.
• To identify significant predictors for gallstone disease in a hospital-based case-control study.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 150 patients with sonographically proven gallstones and 150 matched controls.
• Data collected on sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle variables.
• Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• Females exhibited a higher prevalence of gallstones compared to males.
• Significant univariate associations included multiparity, high fat/sugar intake, low fiber intake, sedentary habits, stress, hypertension, high BMI, and high waist-hip ratio.
• Multivariate analysis identified physical inactivity, high saturated fat intake, and high waist-hip ratio as significant predictors.

Conclusions:

• Gallstone disease disproportionately affects females and elderly males.
• Abdominal adiposity, physical inactivity, and high saturated fat consumption are key modifiable risk factors.
• These findings highlight opportunities for primary prevention through lifestyle modification.