Gallstone disease and its correlates among patients attending teaching hospital of North India

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease (GSD) represents a significant burden for healthcare systems worldwide and is one of the most common disorders among patients presenting to emergency rooms with abdominal discomfort. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to find correlates (demographic, dietary, and behavioral) of GSD in patients attending teaching hospital in North India. METHODOLOGY: A case–control study was conducted from January 2013 to December 2013 among subjects attending outpatient department of general surgery in a teaching hospital. Data collection for both cases and controls was done on a self-designed pretested “interview schedule” which assessed the sociodemographic profile, personal history, medical history, comorbidities, physical examination including anthropometry, and dietary intakes. To measure the strength of association, odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 120 cases and the same number of age- and sex-matched controls were included in final analysis. In binary logistic regression, maximum association was seen with physical inactivity [OR 3.93, confidence interval (CI): 1.98–7.78] followed by current consumption of smokeless tobacco (OR 3.65, CI: 1.65–8.09), current smoking (OR 2.69, CI: 1.13–6.37), nonvegetarian diet (OR 3.10, CI: 1.65–5.83), and fat intake (OR 2.14, CI: 1.14–4.02). Current alcohol consumption (OR 0.90, CI: 0.41–1.98), high waist–hip ratio (OR 1.54, CI: 0.67–3.56), and intake of fruits and green leafy vegetables (OR 1.86, CI: 0.61–5.61) were not significantly associated with GSD. CONCLUSION: Physical inactivity, smokeless tobacco, nonvegetarian diet, current smoking, high fat intake, and family history were found to be risk factors for the development of GSD.