Risk factors for gallstone disease: genetic, ethnic and environmental factors

Gallstones are a major public health problem in all developed countries. Available evidence suggests that the incidence of gallstones has been rising sharply in recent decades [1, 2]. Like many chronic, non infectious diseases whose incidence increases with age, the pathogenesis of gallstones may be multifactorial. Much has been learned in recent years about factors in bile associated with cholesterol gallstone formation; however the reasons for the rising incidence of gallstones remain unknown. There is evidence to support the existence of all 3 factors which are the subject of the present discussion.