Type of gallstone and dietary pattern in Korean patients with gallstone disease

Abstract

Prevalence of cholesterol and mixed gallstone was common in western population, while pigment gallstone was common in Asian population. Dietary factors have been suggested to be associated with risk of gallstone, but were not evaluated between types of gallstone. The present study was to investigate the association with dietary pattern and type of gallstone in Korean population whose dietary pattern and incidence of gallstone types have been changing. Patients with cholesterol (n=40), pigment (n=66) and mixed (n=36) gallstone were recruited after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and dietary intake was assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Intake of animal lipid, meat and fried food was significantly higher, but intake of carbohydrate and vegetable was significantly lower in patients with cholesterol gallstone than those with pigment and mixed gallstone. Additionally, westernized dietary pattern (high consumption of meat, fried food and dairy products) was significantly observed in patients with cholesterol gallstone, while Korean traditional dietary pattern (high consumption of grain, Kimchi, vegetable) was significantly observed in patients with pigment gallstone. Westernized dietary pattern was associated with cholesterol gallstone, while Korean traditional dietary pattern was associated with pigment gallstone, suggesting that balanced-dietary pattern could reduce the risk of gallstone formation.