Hypercholesterolaemia in patients with symptomatic gallstones

Objective To determine the incidence of hypercholesterolaemia in patients with symptomatic gallstones

Methods This is a descriptive observational study. Preoperative serum cholesterol level of patients admitted for surgical removal of the gall bladder to a single surgical unit was studied.

Results There were 33 patients with a median (range) age of 47 (32-74) years. 6 (18.18%) patients were known to have hyperlipidaemia and 12(36%) patients were newly found to have high serum cholesterol levels: 5(15%) were less than 40 years old. The lowest recorded cholesterol level was 118mg/dl (normal <200 mg/dl).

Conclusions More than 50% of patients with symptomatic gallstones have hypercholesterolaemia.

The Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery 2014; 32(4): 17-18