Dietary intake and gallbladder disease: a review

Abstract

Objective: Dietary intake has long been looked upon as a potentially modifiable risk factor for gallbladder disease (GBD), here defined as either having gallstones or having had surgery for gallstones. This paper reviews the epidemiological evidence for an association between dietary intake and GBD, focusing on six dietary factors that have received the most attention in studies in this area: energy intake, fatty acids, cholesterol, carbohydrates and fibre, calcium and alcohol. The objectives of this review are to evaluate the potential usefulness of altering the diet to prevent GBD and to consider future research in this area. Design: We reviewed all English-language epidemiological studies on diet and cholelithiasis that were cross-sectional, cohort or case-control in design and that were indexed in the Medline database from 1966 to October 1997. Results: A positive association was suggested with simple sugars and inverse associations with dietary fibre and alcohol. No convincing evidence was found for a role for energy intake or intake of fat or cholesterol. Variable means of ascertaining cases and inaccurate measurement of dietary intake may contribute to variation in results across studies. Conclusions: Some specific components of the diet that may affect GBD include simple sugars, fibre and alcohol, but whether risk for GBD can be reduced by altering intake of a specific dietary factor has not been established. Although no specific dietary recommendations can be made to reduce risk of GBD per se, a 'healthy' diet aimed at reducing risk of other diseases might be expected to reduce risk for GBD as well.

Calcium carbonate gallstones in children

“…The presence of calcium carbonate stones in children as young as 1 year in our series argues against a major dietary cause. Studies of dietary calcium intake in adults have found either no association or an inverse correlation with gallbladder gallstone disease [20]. In our pilot study, we found no link with the calcium carbonate concentration in local drinking water [9].…”

Variation in the risk for liver and gallbladder cancers in socioeconomic and occupational groups in Sweden with etiological implications

“…Second, they might affect gallbladder function, leading to delayed or incomplete emptying with subsequent bile stasis and dilation of gallbladder, which predisposes to inflammation. The risks of alcohol drinking and smoking on gallbladder cancer were inconsistent in previous studies (Khan et al 1999;Moerman et al 1997;Tseng et al 1999;Zatonski et al 1997). A positive association has been found consistently between gallstones and various measures of obesity (Kono et al 1988;Maclure et al 1989;Pixley et al 1985;Williams and Johnston 1980), with some showing evidence of a dose-response relation (Kono et al 1988;Maclure et al 1989).…”

“…For gallbladder carcinoma, gallstones and some structural abnormalities are the known risk factors (Hamilton and Aaltonen 2000; Strom et al 1995;Zatonski et al 1992). The effect of alcohol drinking on gallbladder cancer is controversial Tseng et al 1999). According to the IARC monographs volume 83, smoking is related to liver cancer, but the data on gallbladder cancer are not clear (IARC 2004).…”

Epidemiology of Gallbladder Disease: Cholelithiasis and Cancer

“…Other than a high caloric intake that leads to obesity, any importance of the dietary content is unclear and difficult to analyze 113-115. Diets specifically high in cholesterol,116 fatty acids, 117 carbohydrates118,119 or legumes120 seem to increase the risk of cholelithiasis.…”