Risk Factors for the Development of Cholelithiasis in Man

Abstract

Conditions Associated with Pigment StonesThe demographic characteristics of persons at high risk for pigment gallstones differ from those in whom cholesterol stones are likely to develop, as noted in Table 1. Pigment stones are notably rare among American Indians, who have very high rates of cholesterol cholelithiasis,⁴⁹-⁵¹ and whereas cholesterol gallstones predominate in Northern Europe⁵² and North and South America,⁵³-⁵⁶ pigment stones are more prevalent in the rural Orient.^37,56,57 In Japan, however, the pattern has been shifting over the past several decades, with pigment stones becoming less, and cholesterol stones more, frequent.⁵⁸-⁶⁰ This shift has . . .