Association of Lipid Profile and Cholelithiasis in patients attending tertiary level hospital of Gandaki, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Gallstone disease (GSD) is a common digestive disorder and is often linked to metabolic problems. Dyslipidaemia, which includes high levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), along with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), may lead to excess cholesterol in bile and result in gallstone formation. This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum lipid profile and gallstone disease.

Methods: This study is a quantitative observational analytical study. Non probability convenience sampling method was used. Hospital-based case-control study was conducted at the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences starting in September 2024 to September 2025. A total of 438 participants were included, with 219 patients with gallstones (cases) and 219 individuals without gallstones (controls). Fasting blood samples were collected to measure serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL levels at the time of admission. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Total number of male participants was 203 and female participants was 235. Among 219 case population, 80 (36.5%) were male and 139 (63.5%) were female. Out of 219 control population 123 (56.2%) were male and 96 (43.8%) were female. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL among case were significantly higher than control, with p value <0.001 whereas there was no significant difference in HDL between case and control with p value = 0.265.

Conclusion: Higher serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL levels were seen in patients with gall stones than the patients without gall stones suggesting that dyslipidemia could be a factor leading to stone formation.