[An echographic study of the prevalence of gallstone disease in Maastricht and the surrounding area].

The prevalence of gallstone disease was studied by ultrasound screening of a hospital population of 424 men and 631 women in Maastricht, admitted for elective surgery unrelated to gallstone disease. In the youngest age group (20-30 yr) no gallstone disease was observed. The prevalence increased with age. In the oldest age category (70-80 yr) 16% of the men and 40% of the women were found to have gallstone disease. The proportion of men with gallstone disease who had undergone cholecystectomy was 39%. In women this was 50%. Data acquired by a list of questions of a sample out of the general population indicated that the prevalence in the general population may be somewhat lower.