“…The general predisposing factors for gallstones include genetic background, a sedentary lifestyle, a diet rich in simple sugars, diabetes mellitus, intolerance to glucose and decreased physical activity (37). Numerous independent risk factors, such as increased age, high body mass index, female gender, smoking habits, and use of hypolipidemic drugs, Brought to you by | Karolinska Institute Authenticated Download Date | 5/26/15 6:13 PM pregnancy, prolonged fasting, hepatobiliary infection are also positively associated with gallstone disease (30,38,39). However, the statistical significance of each of these factors is not consistent among different study groups.…”