Frequency of Gallstones in Fatty Liver disease in a Tertiary Care of Suburban Islamabad

Background: Gallstone disease and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) share common etiological pathways. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of Gallstones and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease (NAFLD) in patients undergoing abdominal ultrasounds in our hospital and to compare the frequency of Gallstone disease in patients with NAFLD and without NAFLD. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out at HBS General Hospital, Islamabad from January 2020 till December 2020. Patients undergoing routine ultrasounds in the out-patient department of the hospital were included in the study. Patients having Emergency Ultrasounds, history of Alcohol intake, history of chronic liver disease and pregnant patients were excluded from the study.  Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and IBM SPSS 22. Results: A total of 689 patients were included with a 3:1 Female to Male ratio. Mean Age was 40.65± 15.610 years. The prevalence of Gallstone disease was found to be 20.9% while that of NAFLD 27.6%. A higher percentage of patients with NAFLD had Gallstones as compared to those who did not have NAFLD (24.2% vs 19.6% respectively) however for overall data, statistical significance was not reached. A statistically significant greater number of young patients with NAFLD had Gallstones as compared to those who did not have NAFLD (50% vs 6%, p<0.001). Mean age was greater in patients who had NAFLD as well as those having Gallstones. Conclusion: The frequency of Gallstones was greater in patients with NAFLD as compared to those without NAFLD. Keywords: Cholelithiasis, Fatty Liver Disease,  Gallstones, Non-Alcoholic, Ultrasonogram