prevalence of asymptomatic gallbladder stones in patients with diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

To study the prevalence of asymptomatic gallstones in patients with diabetes mellitus [DM] and to determine the risk factors for the occurrence of asymptomatic gallstones among diabetics. In a cross-sectional study design, 511 patients [294 with DM and 217 without DM] were ultrasonically screened for the presence or absence of asymptomatic gallbladder stones and information on risk factors was obtained. The prevalence of asymptomatic gallstones among patients with diabetes mellitus was 11.9% compared to 3.2% among non-diabetics [p<0.001]. Among diabetics increasing age and female gender were found to be risk factors for developing gallbladder stones. Diabetes mellitus per se is a risk factor for the development of gallbladder stones in Saudi patients