Abstract:
Gallbladder stones are sometimes silent disease and often neglected, and could cause life threatening medical complications when it manifests clinically.
The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of gallbladder stone in the adult population of Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
A cross sectional study was conducted during a period of 34 months; from June, 2011 to April, 2014. A convenience sample of 3501 consecutive consenting subjects who met the inclusion criteria was evaluated. Ultrasound examination was carried out on each participant with special emphasis on the biliary system, and the presence or otherwise of gallstone was documented. The weight of each participant was measured with a simple bathroom weighing balance. With each participant barefooted and standing in Frankfurt position, their heights were measured using a meter rule. Body mass index was calculated from the weight and height measurements. The age of each subject was recorded.
Participants were aged between 18 and 92 years; 49.4% males (n = 1731) and 50.6% females (n = 1770). Only 4.4% of the subjects (n = 154) had gallstones. Twenty-seven percent (n = 41) of the subjects with stone were men, whereas 73% (n = 154) of the subjects with stones were women. Body mass index (BMI) was identified as the most prominent factor of gallstone formation, with obese subjects having greatest gallstone prevalence. Incidence according to age showed no definite pattern. About 27% of the total gallstone incidents was symptomatic, only slightly above five percent
was associated with cholecystitis. Generally, low prevalence rate of gallstone was noted within the studied population.
The study showed that there is low prevalence of gallstone among adult population in Nnewi, Nigeria. It also revealed that increasing BMI value and sex appear to be risk factors for gallstone occurrence.
