Table II.
Main beneficial effects of physical activity on gallbladder by population studies
| Study groups | Country | Physical activity recording | Outcomes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk) Study. 25,639 volunteers, aged 40–74 years monitored over 14 years | UK | Questionnaire (classification of physical activity into four types) | After 5 years of follow-up, 135 participants (69.6% women) developed symptomatic gallstones. 70% decreased risk of gallstones with the highest level of physical activity, compared with the lowest three levels. | [85] |
| Population-based cohort of 3,143 men and women, 45–74 yr of age, from 13 American Indian communities monitored at baseline (1989–1992) and at follow-up (1993–1995) | USA | Questionnaire (METs/week) | Out of the 2,130 gallstone-free subjects, 650 individuals (403 women and 247 men) developed gallbladder disease according to ultrasound or had cholecystectomy. Increased activity levels were inversely related to gallbladder disease status, and in patients without diabetes. | [79] |
| Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF; 1986–1988), 8,010 post-menopausal women | USA | Harvard Alumni Questionnaire (kcal/week) | Women in the lowest two quartiles of physical activity had a 59% and a 57% higher risk of developing gallstone disease compared to women in the highest quartile of physical activity. Physical activity inversely related to the development of gallstone disease in post-menopausal women independent of body mass index. | [80] |
| Ultrasonographic study: 100 subjects with gallstones vs. 290 randomly selected control subjects | Italy | Questionnaire (MJ/week) | Physical activity inversely associated with risk of gallstone formation. | [75] |
| Prospective cohort study: 45,813 men 40 to 75 years of age were followed from 1986 to 1994. | USA | Questionnaire (METs/week) | 828 men with symptomatic gallstones (ultrasonography, radiology, cholecystectomy). Increased physical activity was inversely related to risk for symptomatic gallstone disease. | [74] |
Abbreviations: kcal: kilocalories; METs: metabolic equivalent tasks; MJ: megajoules.