Investigating the Association Between Hypothyroidism and Gallstones in Blood Groups: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Extensive research has explored the potential correlation between thyroid disorders and gallstone disease. The relationship between hypothyroidism and gallstone formation in individuals with different blood types has garnered significant interest, with various hypotheses proposed. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association between hypothyroidism and the formation of gallstones in patients with different blood groups. Our goal is to shed light on the potential link between these two conditions and contribute to the existing body of knowledge in this area. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in 2023, involving 450 patients. The patients were divided into case and control groups in a 1:2 ratio. Both groups were evaluated for hypothyroidism and blood type. The data were analyzed using statistical tests and a logistic regression model in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26. Results: The study included participants with a mean age of 41.42 ± 15.74 years, consisting of 189 males (42.0%) and 56 (12.44%) individuals with hypothyroidism. Analysis revealed a significant correlation between blood type and the occurrence of gallstones (P < 0.001), with the highest frequency of gallstones observed in individuals with blood group B+. Similarly, a significant association was found between blood type and hypothyroidism (P < 0.001), with the highest frequency of hypothyroidism in individuals with blood group O+. Blood type O+ was the most frequent in patients with both disorders (hypothyroidism and gallstones), which was also statistically significant (P = 0.03). Blood type and hypothyroidism together predicted 12% of the changes in gallstone occurrence. Individuals with blood groups A+ and O+ were nearly four times more likely to develop gallstones compared to individuals with other blood groups (OR = 4.06 and OR = 4.16, respectively). Additionally, the presence of hypothyroidism nearly doubled the risk of developing gallstones (OR = 1.93). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that individuals with blood group O+ have a significantly higher susceptibility to hypothyroidism compared to those with other blood types. Furthermore, individuals with hypothyroidism are nearly twice as likely to develop gallstone disease.