Prevalence of cholelithiasis and associated risk factors among adult population in Shanghai

Objective To investigate the prevalence and major risk factors of cholelithiasis among adult residents in Shanghai.Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed among residents above 15 years of age in four communities of Yangpu District and Pudong New District using multiple-stage stratified cluster sampling.Data was collected from a total of 3173 residents using questionnaire.Physical examination, serum lipids, 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test and ultrasonographic examination of biliary system were undertaken.Data was analyzed using SPSS 15.0.Results Of the 3173 residents who participated on the study, 1217 were males and 1956 were females.The mean age of the participants was (52.4 ± 15.1) years and ranged from 15-88 years.Cholelithiasis was detected by ultrasound examination in 339 participants (10.7%) , the age-adjusted and sex-adjusted prevalence of cholelithiasis in Shanghai adult residents was 7.5%.The prevalence of cholelithiasis increased with age both in males and females.The age, body mass index, blood pressure, fasting and two hour serum glucose level, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01) and total cholesterol (P < 0.05) in the cholelithiasis group were significantly higher than the non cholelithiasis group.The high-density lipoprotein level was lower in the cholelithiasis group (P < 0.01) .Obesity, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes mellitus and fatty liver were positively associated with the risk of gallstone disease in both men and women.Central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia were risk factors for gallstone disease only in women (P < 0.05) .The prevalence of cholelithiasis was positively correlated with three risk factors such as age, systolic pressure and fatty liver.Conclusion There is a high prevalence of cholelithiasis among adult residents in Shanghai.Age, obesity, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes mellitus and fatty liver are closely associated with cholelithiasis.