Chemical Composition of Gallstones from Al-Jouf Province of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Background: It is essential to understand the aetiopathogenesis of gallstone disease. This study was undertaken to determine the chemical composition of gallstones from patients living in Al-Jouf Province of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a descriptive study where 46 gallstones from Al-Jouf Province of Saudi Arabia were analysed by semiquantitative titrimetric and colourimetric methods. The proportion of different types of gallstones was described using 95% confidence interval based on exact method. Results: Gallstones were found more frequently in female patients (60.9%) than males (39.1%), and these stones were composed of pure cholesterol (54.3%), pure bilirubin (2.2%), or mixed stones (43.5%). The most common chemical constituent was cholesterol (82.6%), while bilirubin was seen in 26.1% of the stones. Calcium was present in 32.6% of the stones in the form of calcium salts of bilirubin and carbonate. Bilirubin-containing stones were slightly more frequent in males than in females, while cholesterol-containing stones were less frequent in males. Conclusion: The findings indicate that gallstones in the Al-Jouf Province develop more frequently in the age group of the third decade of life, with more risk among females than males, and are predominated by cholesterol together with calcium bilirubinate and calcium carbonate.