Cholelithiasis and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Nigerians : original

Background: Gallstone disease is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases seen in clinical practice. Individuals with Diabetes mellitus are reported to have a 2 to 3-fold increase in the incidence of cholesterol Gallstone. Studies have shown a higher prevalence of Gallstone disease in patients with Diabetes mellitus. However there is no literature on Gallstone disease and the Nigerian type 2 diabetic patients. This study was therefore designed to determine the prevalence of Gallstone disease using abdominal ultrasound scan amongst Nigerians with type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Methodology: 100 type 2 diabetic patients and 100 age and sex- matched controls under-went real time ultrasonography to determine the prevalence of Gallstone disease. Result: 15% of the diabetic patients had ultrasound evidence of Gallstone disease as compared to 7% in non diabetic controls. Conclusions: Gallstone disease in Nigerians with type 2 Diabetes mellitus may not be rare. South African Gastroenterology Vol. 5 (3) 2007: pp. 14-17