Gallstone disease and mortality: a cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this cohort study was to determine whether subjects with gallstone disease identified by screening of a general population had increased overall mortality when compared to gallstone-free participants and to explore causes of death.


METHODS
The study population (N = 5928) was examined 1982-1992 and included an abdominal ultrasound examination to assess gallstone status, a physical examination, blood samples, and a questionnaire about medical history. Participants were followed up through national registers until 2015. Multiple adjusted Cox regression models were built.


RESULTS
Gallstone disease was present in 10%. Mortality was 46% during median 24.7 years of follow-up with 1% lost. Overall mortality and death from cardiovascular diseases were significantly associated to gallstone disease. Death from unknown causes was significantly associated to gallstone disease and death from cancer and gastrointestinal disease was not associated. No differences in mortality for ultrasound-proven gallstones or cholecystectomy were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Gallstone disease is associated with increased overall mortality and to death from cardiovascular disease. Gallstones may be considered a possible cardiometabolic risk factor. Other unknown factors also seem to play a role.
Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400, Copenhagen, Denmark. daniel.moensted.shabanzadeh.01@regionh.dk.|Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Centre for Health, Capital Region of Denmark, Glostrup, Denmark. daniel.moensted.shabanzadeh.01@regionh.dk.
Daniel Mønsted
DM
Shabanzadeh
Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Lars Tue
LT
Sørensen
Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Centre for Health, Capital Region of Denmark, Glostrup, Denmark.|Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.|The Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Torben
T
Jørgensen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
Cholelithiasis; Epidemiologic studies; Epidemiology studies; Gallbladder diseases; Gallstones; Ultrasonography