Risk Factors for Gallstone Disease in the Hispanic Populations of the United States

The 1982-1984 Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey used ultrasonography to investigate risk factors for gallstone disease (gallstones or cholecystectomy). Mexican American, Cuban American, and Puerto Rican men (n = 968) and women (n = 1,325) aged 20-74 years were selected from household samples in nine states. Among men, the risk of gallstone disease increased with age, education, and subscapular skinfold thickness. Among women, the risk of gallstone disease increased with age, body mass index, four skinfold measures, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and oral contraceptive usage, but not with parity. Women currently using oral contraceptives were also found to be at increased risk of current gallstones. Menopause was a risk factor for gallstone disease and cholecystectomy. Alcohol consumption was negatively related to the risk of gallstone disease. In men, the cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was positively related to gallstone disease and, in women, this ratio was negatively related. This interaction between the effect of sex and the cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio on gallstone disease was highly significant (p = 0.002). Mexican Americans were at increased risk of gallstone disease even when other risk factors were controlled in multiple logistic regression analysis.