PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF GALLSTONES AMONG PATIENTS UNDERGOING ULTRASONOGRAPHY AT HAYATABAD MEDICAL COMPLEX PESHAWAR

Abstract

Background: Gallstone disease is a common condition influenced by demographic, metabolic, and clinical factors. Abdominal ultrasonography is widely used for the detection and characterization of gallstones. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and describe the demographic, clinical, metabolic, and ultra-sonographic characteristics of gallstones among patients undergoing abdominal ultrasonography at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan. 

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over four months at the Radiology Department of Hayatabad Medical Complex. A total of 377 patients undergoing abdominal ultrasonography were recruited using non-probability convenience sampling. Participants aged 20–80 years were eligible, while those with previous cholecystectomy or receiving treatment for gallstones were excluded. Demographic and clinical information, including age, sex, residence, abdominal pain location, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, was recorded. Gallstone number and size were assessed using abdominal ultrasonography. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, with descriptive statistics presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations.

Results: Of the 377 participants, 323 (85.7%) were female and 54 (14.3%) were male, with a mean age of 50.76 ± 17.68 years. Most participants were from urban areas (62.1%). Multiple gallstones were identified in 259 (68.7%) participants, while 118 (31.3%) had a single stone. Gallstone size ranged from 1 to 122 mm, with stones measuring 6–10 mm representing the most frequent size category (38.7%). Obesity was present in 240 (63.7%) participants, hypertension in 174 (46.2%), and diabetes mellitus in 127 (33.7%). Upper-right-quadrant pain was the most frequently reported pain location (41.1%), followed by hypochondriac (30.0%) and epigastric (28.9%) pain.

Conclusion: Gallstones were commonly identified in patients undergoing abdominal ultrasonography, with multiple stones predominating. Female sex, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were frequently observed. Ultrasonography remains valuable for detecting and characterizing gallstones in patients with suspected biliary disease.