Prevalence of gallstones in a Brazilian population.

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of gallstones in the population of Curitiba, Brazil. A total of 1000 persons was randomly recruited among individuals who were visiting two shopping centers of the city in order to represent the Brazilian population in relation to age and sex. The selected people underwent ultrasonographic examination of the upper abdomen immediately after a medical interview. Of the 1000 persons evaluated, 93 (9.3%) had gallstones (64 persons) or had been subjected to cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis. The gallstone prevalence increased from 2.4% in persons of 20-29 years of age to 27.5% in persons of more than 70 years (chi2 = 37.29; P <0.001). The prevalence was 2.4 greater in females (12.9%) than in males (5.4%) (chi2 = 16.34; P <0.001). The prevalence increased with the number of pregnancies from 4% in nulliparous women, to 34.6% in persons with a history of six or more pregnancies (chi2 = 200.1; P <0,001). The prevalence also increased according to the body weight (chi2 = 30.08; P <0.001). There was no difference in the prevalence between individuals with diabetes mellitus and controls. It is concluded from this study that the prevalence of gallstones in the city of Curitiba is elevated.