ABSTRACT
Gallstones are common, occurring in >20% of middle-aged women. There are five classic risk factors for gallstones (the 5 F’s):
• Female • Fair • Fat • Fertile • Forty.
Other predisposing factors include:
• excess mucus production by the gall bladder • biliary infection • biliary stasis (e.g. in pregnancy) • ileal dysfunction (prevents reabsorption of bile) • obesity • hypercholesterolaemia • chronic liver disease.
