PREVALENCE OF GALLBLADDER-DISEASE AND ASSOCIATED CLINICAL-VARIABLES IN A LOW-INCOME POPULATION OF MEXICO-CITY

We present the results of a population-based survey carried out in a l ow income area of Mexico City, The aim of this study is to characteriz e the prevalence of clinically significant gallbladder disease (CSGD) using the self-reported history of cholecystectomy (CG) or cholelithia sis (CL) demonstrated by cholecystography and/or ultrasonography, The population of the studied area was 15,532 inhabitants, of whom 3505 (2 2.6%) were age eligible (35 - 64 year-old men and non-pregnant women), Home interviews were obtained in 2810 (80.2%), A physical and laborat ory examination was performed in 2282 individuals (65.1%; 941 men and 1341 women), The prevalence of CSGD in men was 2.0% (95% confidence in tervals 1.1 - 2.9%) and 9.2% in women (95% confidence intervals 7.7 - 10.7%), Patients with CSGD were older, men (p < 0.003) and women (p < 0.001), Women with CSGD had higher waist to hip circumference ratio (p < 0.06), higher fasting glucose (p < 0.03) as well as 2 h post challe nge glycemia (p < 0.04) and insulinemia (p < 0.03), In the multiple lo gistic regression model only age (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.001) remai ned significantly associated, We conclude that CSGD is quite prevalent in this population, It is associated with age in both genders and in women, higher glucose and insulin levels, The prospective follow-up of this cohort is important since it could generate the information need ed to implement a preventive program to diminish the impact of this co ndition.