Fatty liver is a disease that affects a high percentage of the world’s population (25-30%) and is associated with a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease (stroke, heart attack), kidney disease, and colon cancer. On the other hand, it is estimated that kidney stones affect approximately 18% of the general population and gallbladder stones affect 10-20%.
Fatty liver and gallstones and kidney stones share several risk factors, such as obesity, lipid abnormalities (cholesterol, triglycerides), and metabolic syndrome. Some studies have suggested that there may be a relationship between the development of fatty liver and stones. In this regard, a study was published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology that sought to understand the possible relationship between these diseases.
The study, conducted in China and involving 623,487 people, found a significant association between the development of gallstones, kidney stones, and liver disease. The importance of this finding is that prevention and control strategies for these diseases could be developed when one of them is diagnosed. The association between these diseases is explained by the fact that they share several pathogenic mechanisms, such as the induction of inflammatory molecules, increased expression of adipokines, and so on.
Dr. Carreño and the Foundation’s medical team agree that a relationship may exist between these diseases, but believe that further studies are needed to confirm this. First, because the work discussed was conducted on the Chinese population, the findings of this study may not be applicable to other races due to the influence of genetic factors. Also, a series of parameters that have not been taken into account and that could interfere with the results, such as the individual’s body mass index, eating habits, socioeconomic status, etc., would need to be studied.
