Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Cholelithiasis in Patients UndergoingAbdominal Ultrasound in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

 Cholelithiasis, or gallstone disease, is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders
worldwide, often remaining asymptomatic but carrying risks of complications such as acute
cholecystitis and gallstone pancreatitis. In Pakistan, limited data exist on its prevalence and
risk factors in the Peshawar region. To determine the prevalence of cholelithiasis and identify
its associated risk factors among adult patients undergoing abdominal ultrasonography in a
tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. A hospital based cross sectional study was
conducted from January to August 2025 at Northwest General Hospital, Peshawar. Using
convenience sampling, 368 patients aged ≥17 years undergoing abdominal ultrasonography
were recruited. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and gallstone presence were
confirmed through ultrasound examination. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.
25. Of 368 participants (49.7% male, 50.3% female; age 17-96 years), 35 (9.5%) were
diagnosed with cholelithiasis, showing slight female predominance (51.4% vs 48.6%). Peak
prevalence occurred in the 37-56 years age group. Significant risk factors included marital
status (100% of cases), physical inactivity (54.3%), recent weight loss (45.7%), positive family
history (42.9%), and diabetes mellitus (34.3%). Lesser associations were found with obesity
(20.0%), smoking (8.6%), liver disease (5.7%), and contraceptive use (2.9%). Cholelithiasis
prevalence was 9.5% in this population, predominantly affecting married individuals and those
aged 37-56 years. Physical inactivity, weight loss, family history, and diabetes mellitus were
identified as major risk factors, while obesity, smoking, liver disease, and contraceptive pills
also showed some contribution to cholelithiasis development.