Shih-Wei Lai1, Kim-Choy Ng. 1. Department of Community Medicine, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We investigated the risk factors for gallstone disease in Taiwan. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients receiving periodic health examination at China Medical College Hospital from January to December 2000. A detailed history, physical examination, biochemical measurements, and abdominal ultrasonography were done. RESULTS: The 602 men (58.6%) and 426 women (41.4%) had a mean age of 49.2 +/- 12.8 years (range, 18 to 87). The prevalence of gallstone disease was 7.8% in women and 6.5% in men. After controlling for other covariates, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that with a reference group aged less than 40 years as a comparison, both men and women aged 65 or older were more likely to have gallstone disease. CONCLUSIONS: Age in both sexes and hepatitis C virus infection in women were found to be risk factors for gallstone disease in our study population.
BACKGROUND: We investigated the risk factors for gallstone disease in Taiwan. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients receiving periodic health examination at China Medical College Hospital from January to December 2000. A detailed history, physical examination, biochemical measurements, and abdominal ultrasonography were done. RESULTS: The 602 men (58.6%) and 426 women (41.4%) had a mean age of 49.2 +/- 12.8 years (range, 18 to 87). The prevalence of gallstone disease was 7.8% in women and 6.5% in men. After controlling for other covariates, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that with a reference group aged less than 40 years as a comparison, both men and women aged 65 or older were more likely to have gallstone disease. CONCLUSIONS: Age in both sexes and hepatitis C virus infection in women were found to be risk factors for gallstone disease in our study population.