Risk Factor Assessment and Comorbidity Profile in Gallstone Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study in Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) remains a major global health concern, typically benign but can lead to life-threatening complications. Risk factors such as advanced age, female gender, and overweight are well-established, yet gaps remain in understanding the regional epidemiology and associated comorbidities. Aim & Objective: To explore the demographic and epidemiological patterns, assess risk factors, and evaluate comorbid conditions related to GSD. Settings and Design: Cross sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital at Dehradun. Methods and Material: The study was conducted among 233 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Data was collected via patient interviews, medical records, and pathology reports. Statistical analysis used: Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables and z-tests for proportions, with multilevel logistic regression used to identify predictors of symptomatic GSD. Results: Out of the 233 participants, 143 were symptomatic and 88 were non-symptomatic. Symptomatic patients had significantly higher median BMI (p=0.021), waist circumference (p=0.014), systolic blood pressure (p=0.021), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.032), and insulin levels (p=0.004) compared to non-symptomatic patients. In multivariate analysis (Model 5), six significant covariates were identified: age (OR: 1.43, p<0.05), BMI (OR: 1.29, p<0.05), waist circumference (OR: 1.33, p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (OR: 1.27, p<0.05), insulin resistance (OR: 2.17, p<0.05), and the presence of comorbidities (OR: 2.41, p<0.05). Conclusions: The study highlights that symptomatic GBD in Uttarakhand is strongly associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, insulin resistance, and multiple comorbidities. These findings underscore the importance of early intervention strategies targeting modifiable risk factors to reduce the burden of symptomatic GSD.