Relative prevalence of gallstone diseases in Taiwan. A nationwide cooperative study.

For many years, it has been said that Taiwan has the highest relative prevalence of hepatolithiasis among the Asian countries. To confirm this, and to reevaluate the chronological changes regarding gallstone disease in Taiwan, a retrospective nationwide cooperative study was conducted in this country. A total of 17,182 patients from 28 medical centers are included in this survey. A gradual increase during the past 20 years in gallstone prevalence with a concomitant decrease of choledocholithiasis and hepatolithiasis are well demonstrated. Both nutritional and environmental factors are involved in these changes. With respect to hepatolithiasis, Taiwan continues to have the highest prevalence among Asian countries, and 20% may be the average figure for the whole country.