BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gallstone disease (GSD) in Bangladesh is not known. We evaluated the prevalence of GSD and its relation with certain factors in a rural community in Bangladesh. METHODS: A total of 1332 persons aged 15 years and above from two villages were invited to participate in the study; 1,058 (80%) subjects responded after three invitations. Each subject answered a questionnaire, including demographic features, and underwent an upper abdominal ultrasound examination. RESULTS: GSD (current cholelithiasis and history of cholecystectomy) was detected in 5.4% of subjects. The prevalence was higher in women (7.7%) than in men (3.3%; p=0.002) The prevalence rates increased from 0.9% to 10% (p=0.0124) from those aged <30 years to those >50 years. A larger proportion of obese subjects (25/52; 48.1%) had GSD than non-obese subjects (32/1006; 3.2%). Prevalence in low, middle and high socio-economic classes was 1.5%, 5.7% and 13.4%, respectively (p=0.000). A majority (71.9%) of subjects with GSD were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Approximately 5% of the Bangladeshi rural community evaluated have GSD. Higher age, female gender, presence of obesity and higher socio-economic class were associated with higher prevalence of GSD.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gallstone disease (GSD) in Bangladesh is not known. We evaluated the prevalence of GSD and its relation with certain factors in a rural community in Bangladesh. METHODS: A total of 1332 persons aged 15 years and above from two villages were invited to participate in the study; 1,058 (80%) subjects responded after three invitations. Each subject answered a questionnaire, including demographic features, and underwent an upper abdominal ultrasound examination. RESULTS:GSD (current cholelithiasis and history of cholecystectomy) was detected in 5.4% of subjects. The prevalence was higher in women (7.7%) than in men (3.3%; p=0.002) The prevalence rates increased from 0.9% to 10% (p=0.0124) from those aged <30 years to those >50 years. A larger proportion of obese subjects (25/52; 48.1%) had GSD than non-obese subjects (32/1006; 3.2%). Prevalence in low, middle and high socio-economic classes was 1.5%, 5.7% and 13.4%, respectively (p=0.000). A majority (71.9%) of subjects with GSD were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Approximately 5% of the Bangladeshi rural community evaluated have GSD. Higher age, female gender, presence of obesity and higher socio-economic class were associated with higher prevalence of GSD.
Authors: Thomas Walcher; Mark Martin Haenle; Martina Kron; Birgit Hay; Richard Andrew Mason; Alexa Friederike Alice von Schmiesing; Armin Imhof; Wolfgang Koenig; Peter Kern; Bernhard Otto Boehm; Wolfgang Kratzer Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2005-11-21 Impact factor: 5.742