To Determine the Correlation between Cholelithiasis and Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist-To-Hip Ratio

Abstract
Aim: To determine the correlation between cholelithiasis and body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio.
Material and Methods: This research was done in the Department of General surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical
College and Hospital, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India for one year, on a sample of 100 individuals who presented with
abdominal discomfort and met the specified inclusion criteria. The test group consisted of 50 individuals who
were diagnosed with cholelithiasis, whereas the control group consisted of 50 patients who had abdominal
discomfort due to causes other than cholelithiasis. The patients underwent investigations including complete blood
count (CBC), liver function tests (LFT), renal function tests (RFT), and abdominal ultrasound (USG). The BMI
was computed using the usual calculation known as Quetelet's index, which involves dividing the weight (in
kilograms) by the square of the height (in meters). The Waist Hip ratio was assessed using the World Health
Organization (WHO) methodology.
Results: The Cholelithiasis group had a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28.85±1.28, with a median of 25.23.
The least BMI observed was 18.55, while the greatest was 35.23. The group without cholelithiasis had an average
BMI of 25.23±1.87, with a median of 23.88 (ranging from a low of 17.25 to a high of 32.33). Within the
cholelithiasis group, 11 patients (22%) out of a total of 50 had a BMI within the normal range, whereas 39 patients
(78%) had a BMI beyond the normal range. Waist hip ratio was matched between the two groups and was found
to be significant (p<0.05) (Table 5). cholelithiasis group had a mean WHR of 1.13±0.02 with a median of 0.8
(minimum=0.7 and maximum=1.2). Non cholelithiasis group had a mean of 1.22±0.03 with a median of 0.7
(minimum=0.6, maximum age=1.2) In cholelithiasis group, 3(6%) patients out of 50 were found to be within
normal WHR limit, whereas 47 patients (94%) were within higher WHR limits. In non-cholelithiasis group, 10
patients (20%) out of 50 were found to be within normal WHR limits, whereas 40 patients (80%) were within
higher WHR limits.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that there is a correlation between being female, being obese, and having a
higher chance of developing cholelithiasis