ULTRASOUND PREVALENCE OF GALL STONES IN A CROSS-SECTION OF OBESE NIGERIAN PATIENTS

Akanbi G. O., Olaogun J. G.*, Thomas A. A. and Aduayi O. S.

ABSTRACT

Background: Obesity is becoming a public health challenge even in developing countries where it was previously uncommon. This increase may be expected to influence the prevalence of obesity related comorbidities and disorders such as gall stones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of gall stones in a cross-section of obese patients presenting for abdominal ultrasound in a Nigerian community. Methods: All the adult patients, presenting for abdominal ultrasound for various indications over a year period had their weight and height measured to determine the body mass index (BMI). Those whose BMI were in the obese range (≥30 Kg/m2) had a hepato-biliary scan to determine the presence or absence of gall stones. Results: A total of 116 obese patients were studied. Of these there were 91 females and 25 males. Their ages ranged from 25 to 70 years with a mean age of 40.5± 4.3 years. The mean Body Mass Index was 34.68±1.2 Kg/m2. There were 23 patients with gall stones accounting for a prevalence of 20%. The age, gender and degree of BMI did not significantly influence the presence of gall stones in this study. Conclusion: The prevalence of gall stones in this study suggests that there may be an increase in the burden of gall stone disease in our environment with the rising trend of obesity. This trend is a call for measures to control obesity.

Keywords: Gall stones, Obesity, Ultrasonography.