Gallstone disease as a clue for metabolic syndrome

Nowadays, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered a global health concern. Patients with MetS are at 5- and 2-times higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and gallstones, respectively. Although gallstone disease (GSD) and MetS are common, little is known about their association. This study aimed to compare the frequency of metabolic syndrome criteria between the GSD group and the control group.

In this case-control study, we enrolled 432 subjects, including 216 with gallstones (184 females, 31 males) and 216 controls (187 females and 29 males without gallstones). Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol, metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), and fibrosis score four index (FIB-4), were measured.

Out of 432 participants, 36% of the subjects had MetS documented. There were no significant differences between the case and control groups regarding age and gender (P=0.144 and P=0.674, respectively). The univariate analysis illustrated that individuals with GSD exhibited higher weight, BMI, hip and waist circumferences, waist-to-hip circumference ratio, total cholesterol, TG, LDL, FBS, METS-IR, and hypertension incidence than those without GSD. Conversely, HDL levels were significantly lower in subjects with GSD(P<0.05).

Similar to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus, GSD seems strongly associated with MetS. Therefore, it is recommended that GSD patients be investigated and monitored for metabolic syndrome and its potential long-term consequences.