Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Correspondence to: W. Kratzer, PD Dr Med. AIM: To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and selection of the study population for cholecystolithiasis in an urban population in Germany, in relation to our own findings and to the results in the international literature.
Risk factors were assessed by means of a standardized interview and calculation of body mass index BMI. A diagnostic ultrasound examination of the gallbladder was performed.
Data were analyzed by multiple logistic regression, using the SAS statistical software package. Risk factors for the development of gallbladder stone disease included age, sex, BMI, and positive family history. Pregnancy and the number of pregnancies, however, could not be shown to be risk factors.
There seem to be no differences in the respective prevalence for gallbladder stone disease in urban and rural populations. Disorders of the gallbladder are a major cause of morbidity and a leading indication for hospital admissions in the United States[ 1 - 4 ] and in Europe[ 5 , 6 ]. In these developed nations, the economic impact of gallstone disease is high[ 1 - 5 ].
In the United States, more than cholecystectomies are performed annually and direct costs for the diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder stones are estimated at 5 billion US Dollar per year[ 7 , 8 ]. For the treatment of gallstone disease in Germany, inpatient hospital days per 10 health insured persons accumulate every year[ 9 ].
