Body composition, metabolic dysregulation, and inflammatory responses in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with gallstones: a cross-sectional analysis

Background. Gallstone disease is a prevalent hepatobiliary disorder, with a particularly high incidence in postmenopausal women. Hormonal, dietary, oxidative, and inflammatory pathways contribute to its pathogenesis. Objective. To evaluate the influence of menopause on anthropometric measures, lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress indicators in women with gallstones compared with healthy controls. Methods. This observational study included 180 women divided into four groups: premenopausal with gall­stones (n = 50), postmenopausal with gallstones (n = 50), healthy premenopausal (n = 40), and healthy post­menopausal (n = 40). Anthropometric, metabolic, inflammatory, oxidative and hormonal parameters were assessed. Results. Metabolically the FBG and lipid profile increased in all patients, LDL elevated in post menopause, while HDL was reduced in premenopausal patients. Inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, PCT) were elevated in all gallstone patients. Oxidative stress marker MDA was also increased, especially in premenopause patient. Estradiol levels declining as expected postmenopause. γ-GT, resistin, insulin, and GLP-1 were elevated in gallstone patients, while CCK decreased in premenopausal patients. Conclusion. Gallstone disease is associated with increased adiposity, dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress. Menopause-related hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen, appears to exacerbate these factors. These findings highlight the importance of anthropometric and inflammatory markers for risk assessment across menopausal stages.