Association Between Gallstone Disease and Kidney Stone Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background and aims: Gallstone disease (GSD) and kidney stone disease (KSD) have increased due to lifestyle in recent decades. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between these two diseases. Methods: A comprehensive electronic database search was conducted before August 25, 2024. This systematic review and meta-analysis included observational studies. The meta-analysis employed a random-effects model to compute the overall summary estimates of the association between GSD and KSD using risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as the primary measure of the effect size. Heterogeneity was evaluated using chi-square tests, the I² statistic, and forest plots. Publication bias was assessed through Begg’s and Egger’s tests. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and all analyses were performed using Stata 17 software. Results: The meta-analysis included 9 studies encompassing 982847 participants. The pooled analysis revealed a statistically significant association between GSD and KSD, with a risk of 1.78 (95% CI: 1.572.03, P≤0.001). Begg’s and Egger’s tests demonstrated no significant bias (Begg’s test P=0.835, Egger’s test P=0.812). Variables such as study year, sample size, mean age of participants, mean follow-up, and study quality as determined by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were examined, but none could significantly impact heterogeneity (P>0.10). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence of a significant association between GSD and KSD. Therefore, further investigation into the underlying mechanisms and potential risk factors is necessary.

Keywords

• kidney stone
• kidney calculi
• cholelithiasis
• gallstone disease