Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Afr Health Sci. 2020 Mar;20(1):383-391. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v20i1.44.
Gallstone disease (GSD) is the most prevalent medical condition in the pancreatobiliary system. The burden of GSD and its complications are major public health issues globally. It is a common cause of surgical intervention, contributing substantially to health care costs. Most patients are asymptomatic, however 20% become symptomatic after 10 years. Its prevalence differs among populations and remains unknown in Uganda.
To determine the prevalence and risk factors of GSD in patients undergoing abdominal ultrasonography at Mulago hospital, Uganda.
This was a cross-sectional study at the Department of Radiology in Mulago hospital. Convenient sampling was used to recruit individuals having an abdominal ultrasound scan. Questionnaires were used to assess risk factors, and an abdominal exam was performed for individuals with gallstones to assess symptomatology.
The prevalence of GSD was 22%. Statistically significant factors associated with GSD were a history of hormonal contraceptive use OR 3.2 (1.88-5.41) and a history of previous biliary symptoms OR 2.9 (1.68-4.91). Ninety-four percent of individuals with gallstones had epigastric/right upper quadrant pain.
The prevalence of GSD is high in Mulago hospital; use of hormonal contraceptives and a previous history of biliary symptoms were significant risk factors for GSD in this study. Majority of patients with GSD were symptomatic with epigastric pain as the cardinal symptom. We recommend a countrywide screening program using abdominal ultrasonography to determine the prevalence of GSD in the general population. There is need to study further the risk of hormonal contraceptive use and GSD. Women on these contraceptives should be informed of the potential risk, and offered alternative options where feasible.
胆石病（GSD）是胰胆系统最常见的疾病。全球范围内，GSD 及其并发症的负担是主要的公共卫生问题。它是手术干预的常见原因，对医疗保健成本有重大影响。大多数患者无症状，但 10 年后有 20%会出现症状。其患病率在不同人群中有所不同，在乌干达尚不清楚。
确定在乌干达穆拉戈医院接受腹部超声检查的患者中 GSD 的患病率和危险因素。
这是穆拉戈医院放射科的一项横断面研究。采用方便抽样招募接受腹部超声扫描的个体。使用问卷评估危险因素，并对有胆囊结石的个体进行腹部检查以评估症状。
GSD 的患病率为 22%。与 GSD 相关的统计学显著因素是激素避孕药使用史 OR 3.2（1.88-5.41）和先前有胆道症状史 OR 2.9（1.68-4.91）。94%的胆囊结石患者有上腹痛/右上腹痛。
穆拉戈医院 GSD 的患病率较高；激素避孕药的使用和先前有胆道症状史是本研究中 GSD 的显著危险因素。大多数 GSD 患者有症状，上腹痛是主要症状。我们建议在全国范围内开展腹部超声筛查计划，以确定普通人群中 GSD 的患病率。需要进一步研究激素避孕药使用与 GSD 的风险。使用这些避孕药的女性应被告知潜在风险，并在可行的情况下提供替代选择。
