Association of age, gender, and body mass index with gallstone disease: evidence from a case-control study at a tertiary care institute

Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) poses a major health burden worldwide, contributing significantly to morbidity. While various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors—including age, gender, and body mass index (BMI)—have been commonly associated with GSD development, recent studies have reported inconsistent results. Additionally, regional disparities in GSD prevalence and risk factors remain insufficiently explored. The primary objective of this study is to assess the association of age, gender, and BMI with GSD among patients presenting to a high-volume tertiary care hospital in North Delhi. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study included ninety-one ultrasound-confirmed cases of GSD, and an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls without GSD were included. Data on demographics, lifestyle, medical history, and BMI were collected. Statistical analysis utilized Chi-square tests and conditional logistic regression, with significance set at p < 0.05. Result: Females constituted the majority of cases (85.7%), and nearly one-third belonged to the younger age group. Although the mean BMI was higher among cases, differences in age and BMI between cases and controls were not statistically significant. A positive family history of GSD or gallbladder carcinoma was the only factor showing a significant association, while no significant associations were observed with lifestyle factors such as diet, alcohol use, smoking, or physical activity. Conclusion: Female gender and positive family history remain important risk factors for GSD, while no significant associations were found with age, BMI, or lifestyle habits in this cohort. The findings show changing risk profiles.