Mo1131 Clinical Features of Patients With Gallstones Detected by Mass Screening

Abstract

Background: Several characteristics, including hyperlipidemia, obesity, life style, gender, and age, are reported risk factors for gallstones. We investigated characteristics of persons with gallstones detected by mass screening of a healthy population in order to identify lifestyle changes likely to decrease risk. Patients and Methods: We performed health evaluation including abdominal ultrasonography at our institution in 23 848 people (15 346 men and 8502 women) in 2009, detecting gallstones in 1062 (698 men and 364 women). We compared persons with and without gallstones with respect to age, gender, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, liver function, serum lipids, other laboratory parameters, life-style (smoking, exercise, drinking, and sleep), and ultrasonographic findings. Statistical analyses included t tests and odds ratio determinations. Results are given as mean ± SD. Differences with probability (p) values below .05 were considered significant. Results: The gallstone detection rate in this healthy population was 4.5% (4.6% in men and 4.3% in women). The mean age of those with stones was 54 ± 9.7 years, significantly higher than that of others (48 ± 9.8). The mean BMI of subjects with stones was 24.0 ± 3.5, tending to be higher than that of others (23.5 ± 3.1). Serum triglycerides were significantly higher in persons with stones, (121.3 ± 91.4 mg/dL) than that in others (114 ± 96.0). No significant differences were evident between the two groups in liver function, serum amylase, LDL-cholesterol, uric acid, BUN, or HbA1c. No significant differences were found for exercise, smoking, or sleep, but prevalence of gallstones among people who did not drink was significantly lower than in either those who drank moderate quantities ethanol (less than 54 g/day) and drank more. Ultrasonographic findings as adenomyomatosis and gallbladder wall thickening were seen more frequently in subjects with stones. Conclusions: Lowering excessive blood lipids (particularly triglycerides) and lessening obesity as well as refraining from alcohol consumption may be effective in decreasing risk of gallstones.