Risk Factors for Gallstones

Gender and Age

Men older than the age of 60 and women between the ages of 20 and 60 are at increased risk of developing gallstones. Pregnant women are more likely to have gallstones with symptoms.

Genetics

Genetic factors play a role in gallstone disease. There is an increased risk of gallstones among first-degree relatives like a parent or sibling.

Medical Conditions    TOP

Medical conditions associated with gallstones include:

• Being overweight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes
• Previous history of gallstones
• IV feeding
• Diseases of the gallbladder and its ducts
• Blood diseases with chronic hemolysis, such as sickle cell anemia
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Crohn disease
• Surgical removal of the ileum (a part of the small intestine)
• Very high triglyceride levels
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Rapid weight loss
• Spinal cord injury
• Gastric bypass
• Metabolic syndromeand insulin resistance
• Pregnancy

Ethnic Background    TOP

Gallstones are common in:

• Native Americans, especially Pima Indians, who have the highest rate of gallstones in the US
• Mexican Americans
• Northern Europeans

Drugs    TOP

A number of drugs are associated with gallstones. The most common are:

• Oral contraceptives
• Hormone replacement therapy—in postmenopausal women
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs—fibrates
• Ceftriaxone
• Octreotide
• Somastatin
• Thiazide diuretics
• Total parenteral nutrition

Diet    TOP

The following dietary changes increase the risk of developing gallstones:

• Rapid weight loss—causes the liver to secrete extra cholesterol into the bile
• Fasting—decreases gallbladder movement, causing bile to become overly concentrated with cholesterol
• Higher intake of trans-fatty acids
• High-dietary glycemic index or glycemic load