The Association of Diabetes Mellitus with Cholelithiasis and Liver Diseases in Addis Ababa - Ethiopia

Background: Gallstone disease is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases reported in abdominal ultrasound investigations. Liver diseases and cholelithiasis are commonly linked with diabetes. Studies have shown that diabetic patients have a 2 to 3-fold increase in the incidence of cholesterol Gallstone. Our literature review indicated no similar study had been conducted in the country. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus on ultrasound diagnosed cholelithiasis and other liver diseases, amongst Ethiopians.
Methodology: A retrospective case control study was conducted at Myungsung Christian Medical Center (MCMC) on 250 cases with ultrasound evidence of cholelithiasis and 250 controls to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and other liver diseases.
Results: A high prevalence of Diabetes mellitus was demonstrated among patients with gallbladder stones- 34% as compared to 15.2% in the controls (Pearson’s chi-square 23.819, P value = 0.000, OR = 2.874). This association remained significant even when sex was controlled, though association was stronger among females.
Conclusions: The association observed in this study, between Diabetes mellitus and cholelithiasis among Ethiopians, may need wider scale study including dietary habits.