Abstract
Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) is quite a prevalent condition. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and risk factors associated with gallstone disease in a younger age group and possible complications.
Method: This is a prospective study which was conducted at Surgical Unit-I of Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi from January 2015 and December 2016. 244 patients with cholelithiasis, confirmed by ultrasound examination, were interviewed and underwent physical examination and laboratory investigations. The risk factors considered were gender, pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, family history of gallstone disease and diabetes mellitus, socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidemia.
Results: 244 (48.13%) patients were under the age of 30 years, out of 507. There were 208 females (85.2%) and 36 males (14.8%) with a mean age of 26.2±2.98 years. All patients presented with symptomatic disease. BMI, dyslipidemia and socioeconomic status were associated with gallstone disease. No link was noted with familial diabetes and GSD status, pregnancies, or contraceptive use. Only family history of GSD and socioeconomic status were significant risk factors in female patients (p<0.05).
Conclusion: High BMI, dyslipidemia and the raised socioeconomic status were associated with cholelithiasis in younger ages.

Key words: Gallstone disease, obesity, ultrasonography, complications, cholecystectomy