Risk factors for gallstone disease in a hospital-based study

Background. We investigated the risk factors for gallstone disease in Taiwan. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients receiving periodic health examination at China Medical College Hospital from January to December 2000. A detailed history, physical examination, biochemical measurements, and abdominal ultrasonography were done. Results. The 602 men (58.6%) and 426 women (41.4%) had a mean age of 49.2 +/- 12.8 years (range, 18 to 87). The prevalence of gallstone disease was 7.8% in women and 6.5% in men. After controlling for other covariates, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that with a reference group aged less than 40 years as a comparison, both men and women aged 65 or older were more likely to have gallstone disease. Conclusions. Age in both sexes and hepatitis C virus infection in women were found to be risk factors for gallstone disease in our study population.