The Prevalence of Gallstone Disease Is Significantly Lower in Natives than in Migrants of Jeju Island

Abstract

BackgroundThe eating habits of Jeju Island natives are quite different from those of the mainland people because of geographic isolation. Diet is a main factor affecting gallstone disease. We investigated the prevalence of gallstone disease in both Jeju Island natives and migrants and studied the risk factors affecting gallstone disease in the Jeju Island people.MethodsA total of 20,763 subjects who underwent medical checkups at the Health Promotion Center of Jeju National University Hospital in Korea from January 2003 to December 2015 were enrolled in the study. Ultrasonography was used to determine the presence of gallbladder stones. Body mass index and biochemical parameters, including liver function test results, lipid profiles, and fasting blood glucose levels, were verified, and data on age, birthplace, and sex were collected from medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors affecting gallstone disease.ResultsThe prevalence of gallstone disease in the Jeju Island people was 4.0%: Jeju Island natives, 3.8% and migrants, 4.4% (P=0.047). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the independent risk factors were older age, Jeju migrants, higher fasting blood glucose and alanine aminotransferase levels, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.ConclusionThe prevalence of gallstone disease was significantly lower in natives than in migrants from Jeju Island. Older age, Jeju migrants, higher fasting blood glucose and alanine aminotransferase levels, and lower highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol levels contributed to gallstone disease prevalence in the Jeju Island people.

Gallstone disease and its correlates among patients attending teaching hospital of North India

“…In this study, the proportion of GSD was increased with increasing age and this has been corroborated by several other authors. [781314151617] A higher proportion of GSD was seen in female subjects (69.2%), and the same findings were seen by other authors. [6781315]…”

Prevalence and risk factors for gallstone disease: A population‐based cross‐sectional study

“…The prevalence of gallstone disease varies widely according to ethnicity and geographical location. As reported previously, it is 20% in Caucasian adults in developed countries, 17 50.9% in native Americans, 18 4.5% in Japanese 19 and 4% in Koreans 20 . Due to changes in dietary habit and lifestyle, the prevalence of gallstones in Shanghai has been assumed to show an upward trend in recent years.…”

“…However, this hypothesis has not been proven in all epidemiological investigations and the correlation between gallstones and sex may be affected by region and race. Female sex is an evident risk factor for gallstones in Europe and North America, but is not related to its prevalence in the East Asian population 7,17,19,20,23‐26 . Additionally, data from China showed a high prevalence of gallstones in women in the Uyghur group but in not the Han Chinese group 7 .…”

“…Univariate analysis showed that having Americans, 18 4.5% in Japanese 19 and 4% in Koreans. 20 Due to changes in dietary habit and lifestyle, the prevalence of gallstones in Shanghai has been assumed to show an upward trend in recent years.…”

“…Female sex is an evident risk factor for gallstones in Europe and North America, but is not related to its prevalence in the East Asian population. 7,17,19,20,[23][24][25][26] Additionally, data from China showed a high prevalence of gallstones in women in the Uyghur group but in not the Han Chinese group. 7 In the current study, we found no correlation between sex and gallstones (6.22% in men vs 7.31% in women, P = 0.173).…”