Chemical Composition of Gallstones from Al-Jouf Province of Saudi Arabia
- Author:
Bashir M Jarrar
;
Meshref A Al-Rowaili
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
bilirubin, calcium bilirubinate, cholesterol, clinical chemistry, gallstones, Saudi Arabia
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2011;18(2):47-52
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: It is essential to understand the aetiopathogenesis of gallstone disease. This
study was undertaken to determine the chemical composition of gallstones from patients living in
Al-Jouf Province of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This was a descriptive study where 46 gallstones from Al-Jouf Province of Saudi
Arabia were analysed by semiquantitative titrimetric and colourimetric methods. The proportion of
different types of gallstones was described using 95% confidence interval based on exact method.
Results: Gallstones were found more frequently in female patients (60.9%) than males
(39.1%), and these stones were composed of pure cholesterol (54.3%), pure bilirubin (2.2%), or mixed
stones (43.5%). The most common chemical constituent was cholesterol (82.6%), while bilirubin was
seen in 26.1% of the stones. Calcium was present in 32.6% of the stones in the form of calcium salts
of bilirubin and carbonate. Bilirubin-containing stones were slightly more frequent in males than in
females, while cholesterol-containing stones were less frequent in males.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that gallstones in the Al-Jouf Province develop more
frequently in the age group of the third decade of life, with more risk among females than males, and
are predominated by cholesterol together with calcium bilirubinate and calcium carbonate.
- Full text:W020151022552593001193.pdf
