Cholelithiasis in a high Andean population ofCajamarca.

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of patients with cholelithiasis in a high-altitude community in Cajamarca. Materials and methods. Sample of 46 patients over 20 years of age attended in a day of care by an Internist and then underwent an ultrasound; the information was collected in a special format. Results. 07 (15.22%) patients with cholelithiasis were found, 06 (85.71%) women and 01 (14.29%) men. Cholelithiasis was presented by 10% (1) of men and 16.7% (6) of women. The cases of cholelithiasis are mostly associated with the female sex, overweight, high-calorie diet, age, number of pregnancies and the use of contraceptives. Conclusion. Study in a high-altitude population center of one of the 16 poorest districts of Peru, with 100% rurality, illiteracy, its own lifestyles and type of diet, cholelithiasis has a general prevalence of 15.22%, higher in women (16.7%) than in men (10%); these cases would be linked to overweight and obesity, diet, pregnancy and the use of contraceptives, plus a possible genetic, ethnic or environmental trait.