Researchers: Gallstones and Kidney Stones Closely Related

Researchers: Gallstones and Kidney Stones Closely Related

New York — A new study revealed that people with gallstones have heightened risk of developing kidney stone as well and vice versa.  The researchers already know from the start that diabetes, unhealthy diet and obesity put people at higher risk of developing both kidney and gallbladder stones.  But even though the identified factors were taken into account, the link between the two disorders remained.

It is not uncommon to see a patient with both the disorders, researchers said.  Dr. Brian Matlaga, John Hopkins Univ. of Medicine urologist, said that the new study will help them understand the relationship between the two disorders. Matlaga, who wasn’t part of the team, was asked to further comment on the latest breakthrough but said he is still out of words to comment on the new study.

Many doctors were still unable to fully explain the relationship between the two disorders mainly because gallbladder stones are formed differently as compared to kidney stones.  Kidney stones are formed due to excessive calcium while gallbladder stones are formed from excessive cholesterol.

Data used in the study came from 3 different long term medical and scientific studies conducted by doctors and nurses in a specific span of time. For about 14 to 24 years, more than 240,000 individuals were involved in the study. Over the span of time indicated, about 18,500 individuals were reported to have developed gallbladder stones while 5,100 were diagnosed with kidney stones. Currently, doctors advised the public to observe preventive measures in order to reduce the risk of developing both the disorders until the link between the two will be fully unlocked by scientists in the future.

Posted by George Daniels on Tuesday October 18 2011, 3:28 AM EST. Ref: Reuters. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0