Prevalence of cholecystolithiasis in Southwestern Germany - a sonographic survey of 2,498 persons in a rural population

Gallbladder stones represent one of the most common reason fur morbidity in western industrial nations. There remains a paucity of exact information r egarding the prevalence and risk factors fur this dis case entity in German y. As part of a whole-community survey focusing on the prevalence of echinococ cosis multilocularis conducted in a population in southwestern Germany (res ponse rate: 66.6%). 2,560 subjects underwent an upper abdominal ultrasound examination at which thc presence of gallbladder stones was ascertained. In each case, upper abdominal sonography was performed following completion o f a standardized interview In 62 subjects, the gallbladder could not be ade quately visualized due to an insufficient fasting period; the remaining 2,4 98 subjects (1,326 females, age 38.9 +/- 19.9 years: 1,172 males, age 37.7 +/- 18.8 yeats) were included in the study collective. Gallbladder stones (sonographically visualized gallbladder stones or histor y of cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis) were found in 196 participant s (7.8%: 139 ft males [10.5%] versus 57 males [4.9%]). Statistical treatmen t of tht data using multiple logistical regression tcchnicIues revealed a s ignificant influence of the variables: age, gender. body mass index (BRI) a nti positive family history on the development of gallbladder stones, The prevalence of gallbladder stories in the present study population is lo wer than figures reported for a study in Brandenburg and at 7.8% is rather low in comparison with other European studies. One explanation may Lt the l ow average age of study participants, almost 50% of whom were less than 35 years, Besides age. subjects' gender; BMI and positive family history were identified as significant risk factors.