ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the gall stones common to the patients of Quetta valley and relate it with certain possible causes. DESIGN: Case study. SETTING: Around 200 gall stones were obtained from 72 patients admitted in Civil Hospital Quetta and other Private hospitals. PERIOD: March 1993 to February 1995. SUBJECTS: Out of 72, 62 patients were female of age in between 35 and 65 and the rest were male patients of age in between 32 and 65. METHODOLOGY: Various biochemical and infrared spectrophotometric methods were employed to analyze the composition of theses stones. Trace metals were determined quantitatively by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The study revealed that 88.8% of the total stones were rich in cholesterol content while 8.4% were pigmented stones and 2.8% were mixed stones. The gall stones occur more frequently in female as compared to males. Dietary habits and disturbed mineral metabolism seems to play a vital role in the formation of gall stones