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. MATERIAL AND 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.