Prevalence of cholelithiasis in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
BACKGROUND
Cholelithiasis is an important cause of morbidity in the world and it varies significantly depending on the region of study.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of cholelithiasis in Buenos Aires.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study performed in a public hospital with tertiary care in Gastrointestinal Surgery. From July 2010 to December 2011, 1,875 healthy volunteers who underwent liver, gallbladder and pancreas ultrasound imaging were included and a questionnaire containing the individual's medical history was administered. The presence of cholelithiasis and its eventual risk factors were studied.


RESULTS
Of 1,875 individuals, 866 were males (46.2%) and 1,009 females (53.8%), older than 20 years old with an average age of 46.1 + 16.7 years. Cholelithiasis was found in 410 inidviduals (21.9%); 285 (15.2%) diagnosed at the time of the study and 125 (67%) who had already undergone a cholecystectomy due to gallstones.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of cholelithiasis in Buenos Aires, capital city of Argentina, is 21.9%. A significant association was found between cholelithiasis and female gender, age, body mass index, history of colic pain, family history of cholelithiasis, smoking, fatty liver and number of pregnancies.
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. palermomd@msn.com
Mariano
M
Palermo
Darío E
DE
Berkowski
Juan Pablo
JP
Córdoba
Juan Manuel
JM
Verde
Mariano E
ME
Giménez
D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged