Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Choledocholithiasis: An Observational, Analytical, Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study Conducted at a Second-Level Hospital in Ciudad Juárez From January 2024 to February 2025

TL;DR

The study found that metabolic syndrome, especially high BMI, is strongly linked to the presence of bile duct stones in a hospital population.

Contribution

This paper provides new local evidence linking metabolic syndrome and choledocholithiasis, emphasizing BMI as a key risk factor.

Findings

Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with choledocholithiasis (OR=5.83).

BMI over 30 was the only MS component significantly associated with choledocholithiasis.

High BMI was confirmed as a relevant risk factor for bile duct stones.

Abstract

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a disorder that groups conditions such as central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, and it is also associated with cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus, in which an increase in biliary diseases such as choledocholithiasis, characterized by the presence of stones in the common bile duct, has been observed. This association may be explained by metabolic alterations that lead to increased cholesterol saturation in bile and impaired gallbladder motility due to insulin resistance, both of which contribute to the formation of stones. This study aims to investigate the relationship between MS and choledocholithiasis in patients treated at a second-level hospital in Ciudad Juárez between January 2024 and February 2025.

Materials and methods

Observational, analytical, retrospective, cross-sectional study with 59 patients over 17 years of age who were divided into two groups: with choledocholithiasis (29, 49%) and without choledocholithiasis (30, 51%). For each group, the ATP III diagnostic criteria for MS were evaluated. For statistical analysis, chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and odds ratio were used.

Results

The presence of MS was significantly associated with choledocholithiasis (p=0.002; OR=5.83, 95% CI: 1.93-19.33); BMI over 30 was the only MS component with a statistically significant association in both patients with and without choledocholithiasis (p=0.0016 and p=0.008, respectively).

Conclusions

The presence of MS is a risk factor for the development of choledocholithiasis in the studied population. A high BMI is confirmed as a relevant risk factor. These findings provide useful local evidence for the development of preventive strategies and clinical management.

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