The relationship between reproductive history and cholecystectomy in older women.
We examined the relationship of reproductive history to cholecystectomy in a population-based sample of 1093 women aged 50 years and older. Number of pregnancies ranged from 0 to 13. Age and obesity were each significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of cholecystectomy. When adjusted for differences in age and obesity, those who had had five or more pregnancies had a significantly increased risk of cholecystectomy. We conclude that an increased risk of gallbladder disease may follow either obesity or multiple pregnancies. One possibly unifying hypothesis for the obesity and pregnancy association is sustained hyperestrogenemia.
Kritz-Silverstein
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Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093.
Barrett-Connor
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Wingard
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DL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010298:Parity; D012307:Risk Factors