Probability of Developing Gallstones

Gallstones affect approximately 10-15% of American adults (25-30 million people), with about 1 million new cases diagnosed each year. Most gallstones are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, but about 20% of people with gallstones develop symptoms or complications requiring treatment.

The classic risk factors are summarized by the "5 Fs": Female, Forty, Fat, Fair (European descent), and Fertile (multiple pregnancies). Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones, with risk peaking around age 40-60. Other risk factors include rapid weight loss, obesity, high-fat diet, diabetes, family history, certain medications (oral contraceptives, cholesterol-lowering drugs), and Native American or Hispanic ethnicity.

About 700,000 cholecystectomies (gallbladder removals) are performed annually in the US, making it one of the most common surgical procedures. Most are performed laparoscopically as outpatient surgery with a recovery of 1-2 weeks. Complications of untreated symptomatic gallstones include biliary colic (severe pain), cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation), choledocholithiasis (bile duct stones), and pancreatitis. Asymptomatic gallstones generally do not require treatment.