The prevalence of gallstones in autopsies from a Danish urban area. Frederiksberg 1914-1955.

The prevalence of stone-bearing or absent gallbladder at autopsy was reviewed in five series from 1914 to 1955, with a total of 3,166 cases. The total prevalence rose significantly over the years, from 8 to 29% in men and from 17 to 45% in women, with the increase almost equally distributed in the age groups 50 to 80 years (p less than or equal to 10(-2)). The female:male ratio for prevalence of gallstones/cholecystectomy fell from 3.3 around 1925 to 1.6 in 1955. From these figures, viewed together with findings from 7974 autopsy records from the same area in 1959-1985, which showed a significant fall in gallstone/cholecystectomy prevalence, culmination of this prevalence was estimated to have occurred between 1955 and 1965.