Prevalence of gallstones in sonographic surveys worldwide

The use of diagnostic sonography allows determination of the prevalence of gallstones in a representative sample of the general population. The object ive of this article is to review the reports of sonographically based studi es of gallstone prevalence in the world literature. All available published epidemiologic studies on the prevalence of cholecystolithiasis as determin ed by diagnostic sonography are summarized. The sonographically based studi es published to date confirm that there are significant regional difference s in the prevalence of gallstones. Certain risk factors, notably age and he redity, are present worldwide. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.