DISTRIBUTION OF GALL STONE DISEASE BY SEX, AGE GROUPS & SEVERITY IN POPULATION OF NAWABSHAH, PAKISTAN

Background: Gall stone disease is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases that affect huge population all over the globe. The pathogenesis of gall stone disease is related to environmental, individual and genetic factors. Our objectives were to determine the distribution of gall stone disease by sex, age groups and severity in population of Nawabshah, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, People University of Medical & Health Sciences, Nawabshah, Pakistan from Feb. 2021 to Sep. 2021. A sample of 200 patients was included from People University of Medical & Health Sciences Hospital, Nawabshah. The distribution of gall stones by sex, age groups and severity were analyzed by counts & percentages for the sample with confidence interval for proportion at 95%CL using normal approximation method. Results: Out of 200 patients of gall stones, 87 (43.5%) were men and 113 (56.5%) women, while 73 (36.5%) were in the age group <= 40 years and 127 (63.5%) in the age group >40 years. Out of 200 patients, 118 (59%) had uncomplicated gallstones and 82 (41%) had complicated gall stones. Conclusion: Our study revealed that the prevalence of gall stones was higher in women than men and higher in age group >40 years than <= 40 years. Further the prevalence of uncomplicated gall stones was higher than complicated gall stones. So, early screening of gall stones in elderly patients and women by ultrasound is advantageous in terms of early detection of asymptomatic gall stones and prevention of complications.