Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACK GROUND :
Gallstone disease is a common condition all over the world as well as in Iraq. Symptomatic gallstones
definitely need surgical or medical treatment . To remove or treat silent gallstones is still a debatable
subject. Gallstones are about twice as common in women than in men and their incidence vary
according to some physical fasters
METHODS :
1016 adult volunteers from both sexes and of different age groups were examined by ultrasound in
Medical city teaching hospital between January 2004 and August 2005, for the estimation of the
prevalence of silent gallstones among Iraqi people and it's relation to some physical and familial
factors was studied .
RESULTS:
The incidence of silent gallstones in both sexes was 3.3%. It is more common in women 4.09% than in
men 2.2% and it increases with age, parity, and the use of contraceptive pills, and high intake of black
tea The size of most of the stones was less than 20 mm and they were less than three in number, the
gall bladder was with a normal wall thickness, no associated mass , or gallbladder wall calcifications,
and no association with specific blood group or obesity was found.
CONCLUSIONS:
Silent gallstones were found in 3.3% of healthy Iraqi individuals, and they are associated with the same
risk factors of symptomatic gall stones such as age , parity , familial contraceptive except that obesity
and blood groups are not a major risk factor.