One hundred eighty-three young Saudi females (92 patients with gallstones, 91 controls) mean age and (SD), 30.2 (6.1) and 29.7 (6.4) years respectively were studied in detail for possible risk factors for gallstone formation. No statistically significant difference was found when the two groups were compared with regard to past history of jaundice, HBsAg carrier status, use of oral contraceptives, parity, diabetes mellitus, obesity (as Body Mass Index > 30), hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. However, it was noted that both groups were overweight; mean (SD) BMI of 27 (5.9) and 26.7 (6.8) for patients and controls respectively and both had high parity rates; mean and (SD) pregnancies of 4.7 (2.6) and 4.3 (2.9), respectively. Family history of gallstones in first degree relatives of patients was significant (.0027 < P < .01) more than in the controls (95% confidence interval of 3% to 23% ). This may suggest a genetic or an environmental factor that strikes the balance toward gallstone formation in the obese and fertile young female population. A larger nationwide, population-based study is surely justified and needed. AF Ahmed, OM El-Hassan, ME Mahmoud, Risk Factors for Gallstone Formation in Young Saudi Women: A Case Control Study. 1992; 12(4): 395-399 It is our impression that gallstones are remarkably common in Saudis; no exact prevalence figures are available.Comparison of the prevalence of gallstones among different populations is notoriously difficult not only because of differences in availability of diagnostic facilities and attitudes toward treatment, but many patients who have gallstones remain symptom-free [1]. Thus, in Britain, only one in seven individuals with gallstones results in cholecystectomy [2], whereas in one population-based Italian study, 78% of subjects found to have gallstones were asymptomatic [3].According to our local statistics in Almadinah Almounawarah, approximately 350 to 400 cholecystectomies are performed each year in King Fahd Hospital and Ohud Hospital (Al-madinah Almounawarah's two main Ministry of Health (MOH) general referral hospitals, bed capacity 500 and 200, respectively); approximately 50% of elective laparotomies. A similar rate was reported from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [4].Gallstone risk factors that could not be manipulated were female sex and advanced age [5][6][7][8][9]. We report a case control study of Saudi females, younger than 40 with and without gallstones; in relation to the following factors: parity, contraceptive pill, previous liver disease and HBsAg carrier state, family history of gallstones, obesity, diabetes mellitus, plasma lipids and total cholesterol and triglycerides. Subjects and Methods Definition of Cases and ControlsSaudi females younger than 40 who had a positive abdominal ultrasound scan for gallstones (cases) and sexand age-matched subjects with negative scan (controls) were studied. The presence or absence of symptoms or other diseases were not considered as an inclusion or exclusion criteria in selection of the cases and the...

The diet of 100 younger than 40 years Saudi females; 50 cases with gallstones and 50 control mean age and SD 30.2 (6.1) and 29.7 (6.4) years respectively, was studied by taking a qualitative dietary history.There was no significant difference between the dietary intake of the 2 groups with regard to cholesterol-rich food and animal fat-rich foods, high fibre foods and the consumption of fast food.However, dates, 'kabsah', 'modabi' and cheese were consumed significantly more by cases (P-value <.001, <.046, <.001 and <.004 respectively) and vegetable oil was used more by controls for cooking purposes (P-value <.05).