Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (682 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Presence or formation of gallstones in the biliary tract, usually in the gallbladder (cholecystolithiasis) or the common bile duct (choledocholithiasis).
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Cholelithiases; Gallstone Disease; Gallstone Diseases.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Biliary Tract Diseases
- Narrower topics
- Cholecystolithiasis; Choledocholithiasis; Gallstones
Related concepts
- Gallstones
- Biliary Tract
- Cholecystolithiasis
- Choledocholithiasis
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 39,064 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Cholelithiasis” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 3,031 of them (7.8%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 24,914 records.
Reviews account for 3,686 records (9.4%) and meta-analyses for 326. Randomized controlled trials number 816 (2.1%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 24,914 |
| 2000-2009 | 5,594 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,525 |
| 2020 onward | 3,031 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 3,686 | 9.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 326 | 0.8% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 816 | 2.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Cholelithiasis"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in digestive system and liver
Gut and liver research ranges from laboratory studies of the microbiome to large trials of drugs and surgery. Symptoms such as pain, reflux or bowel change are reported by patients and overlap between conditions, and diet and microbiome studies are mostly observational. Check whether the study measured symptoms, tissue findings or long-term outcomes, how the diagnosis was made and how long people were followed. Nothing here replaces advice from a qualified clinician.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Association between monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio and gallstones in U.S. adults: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020 | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 21 | cc by PMID 38849878 · DOI · PMC11157827 |
| The association between triglyceride-glucose index and gallstones: NHANES 2017-2020 | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 16 | cc by PMID 39502572 · DOI · PMC11534660 |
| Role of Secretory Mucins in the Occurrence and Development of Cholelithiasis | 2024 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 15 | cc by PMID 38927079 · DOI · PMC11201413 |
| Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis Promotes Gallstone Formation via Bile Acid Metabolic Disorder: A Multiomics Study | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 41797508 · DOI · PMC12968746 |
Association between monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio and gallstones in U.S. adults: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020 [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundStudies have indicated that monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) can be a reliable indicator of various diseases.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsGallstone prevalence positively associated with elevated MHR, indicating that MHR can be employed as a clinical indicator to assess gallstone prevalence.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (177 words)
BackgroundStudies have indicated that monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) can be a reliable indicator of various diseases. However, the association between MHR and gallstone prevalence remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore any potential association between MHR and gallstone prevalence.MethodsThis study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-March 2020. MHR was calculated as the monocyte count ratio to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Multiple logistic regression models, Cochran-Armitage trend test, and subgroup analyses were used to examine the association between MHR and gallstones.ResultsThis study included 5907 participants, of whom 636 (10.77%) were gallstone formers. The study participants had a mean age of 50.78 ± 17.33 years. After accounting for multiple covariables, the multiple logistic regression model showed a positive linear association between MHR and gallstone odds. The subgroup analyses and interaction testing results revealed that the association between MHR and gallstones was statistically different across strata, including sex, smoking, asthma, and hypertension.ConclusionsGallstone prevalence positively associated with elevated MHR, indicating that MHR can be employed as a clinical indicator to assess gallstone prevalence.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38849878 · DOI · PMC11157827
The association between triglyceride-glucose index and gallstones: NHANES 2017-2020 [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectsIt remains unclear whether the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has correlations with gallstones.
- Closing excerpt
- Managing insulin resistance (IR) could help reduce the risk of gallstones since the TyG index is an indicator of IR.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (160 words)
ObjectsIt remains unclear whether the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has correlations with gallstones. This study aimed to investigate the association between TyG index and gallstones.MethodsData was obtained from the 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants who provided complete data about TyG index and gallstones were included in the analysis. Multivariable regression analysis and subgroup analysis were preformed to estimate the relationship between TyG index and gallstones. Restricted cubic splines (RSC) was employed to calculate the cut off value.ResultsThe TyG index was independently associated with gallstones and demonstrates a clear positive correlation (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01-1.21; p = 0.033). The threshold value is 8.98, showing a positive correlation between TyG index and gallstones when the TyG index is less than 8.98 (Log likelihood ratio P ConclusionsHigher TyG index was linked to a higher chance of developing gallstones. Managing insulin resistance (IR) could help reduce the risk of gallstones since the TyG index is an indicator of IR.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39502572 · DOI · PMC11534660
Role of Secretory Mucins in the Occurrence and Development of Cholelithiasis [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Cholelithiasis is a common biliary tract disease.
- Closing excerpt
- This review systematically summarises and analyses the role of mucins in gallstone occurrence and development and its related mechanisms to explore new ideas for interventions in stone formation or recurrence.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (105 words)
Cholelithiasis is a common biliary tract disease. However, the exact mechanism underlying gallstone formation remains unclear. Mucin plays a vital role in the nuclear formation and growth of cholesterol and pigment stones. Excessive mucin secretion can result in cholestasis and decreased gallbladder activity, further facilitating stone formation and growth. Moreover, gallstones may result in inflammation and the secretion of inflammatory factors, which can further increase mucin expression and secretion to promote the growth of gallstones. This review systematically summarises and analyses the role of mucins in gallstone occurrence and development and its related mechanisms to explore new ideas for interventions in stone formation or recurrence.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38927079 · DOI · PMC11201413
Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis Promotes Gallstone Formation via Bile Acid Metabolic Disorder: A Multiomics Study [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Gallstone disease is a common global digestive disorder.
- Closing excerpt
- Furthermore, the accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids is identified as a key factor in gallbladder stone formation.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (240 words)
Gallstone disease is a common global digestive disorder. This study intends to analyze gut microbiota-gallstone disease interactions, to inform disease mechanism and microbiota-targeted prevention and treatment strategies. Participants were recruited from health check-up populations, outpatients, and inpatients. Basic information and biological samples were collected: fecal samples for metagenomic sequencing, and serum samples for bile acid metabolism detection. A total of 62 gallstone patients and 62 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Compared with the control group, gallstone patients exhibited increased level of bile salt hydrolase (BSH)-producing bacteria, including the genera Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium, and the family Lactobacillaceae. Further KEGG analysis revealed that the significantly enriched signaling pathways in the gallstone patients were mainly related to bile acid biosynthesis, lipid and bile acid precursor metabolism. Subsequently, we found that in gallstone patients, the levels of hydrophobic bile acids, (e.g., lithocholic acid, LCA), was increased, while the levels of hydrophilic bile acids taurolithocholic acid (TLCA) were decreased. In the correlation analysis between differential bile acids and differential bacterial species, Bacteroides intestinalis was positively correlated with LCA, while Bacteroides fragilis was negatively correlated with TLCA. These results further confirm the role of BSH-active bacteria in bile acid dysregulation. This study proposes the "intestinal microbiota imbalance-bile acid metabolic disorder-gallbladder stone formation" axis, and confirms that gallstone patients exhibit intestinal dysbiosis, which leads to bile acid dysregulation. Furthermore, the accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids is identified as a key factor in gallbladder stone formation.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41797508 · DOI · PMC12968746
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Gallbladder cancer [5]
- Research article Acute Cholecystitis: A Review [6]
- Research article Association of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use With Risk of Gallbladder and Biliary Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials [7]
- Research article Safety of Semaglutide [8]
- Research article Safety issues with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and cholelithiasis): Data from randomized controlled trials [9]
- Research article Global Epidemiology of Gallstones in the 21st Century: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [10]
References
- Liu X, Yan G, Xu B, Sun M. Association between monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio and gallstones in U.S. adults: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020. . 2024. PMID 38849878 · DOI · PMC11157827
- Gong L, Fan S, Peng Z, Chen Z, Liu Y, Huang Y, et al.. The association between triglyceride-glucose index and gallstones: NHANES 2017-2020. . 2024. PMID 39502572 · DOI · PMC11534660
- Zhao Z, Yang Y, Wu S, Yao D. Role of Secretory Mucins in the Occurrence and Development of Cholelithiasis. . 2024. PMID 38927079 · DOI · PMC11201413
- Huang C, Xiao W, Zhao J, Zhong R, Gao L, Ma H, et al.. Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis Promotes Gallstone Formation via Bile Acid Metabolic Disorder: A Multiomics Study. . 2026. PMID 41797508 · DOI · PMC12968746
- Roa JC, García P, Kapoor VK, Maithel SK, Javle M, Koshiol J. Gallbladder cancer. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2022. PMID 36302789 · DOI · PMC12314663
- Gallaher JR, Charles A. Acute Cholecystitis: A Review. JAMA. 2022. PMID 35258527 · DOI
- He L, Wang J, Ping F, Yang N, Huang J, Li Y, et al.. Association of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use With Risk of Gallbladder and Biliary Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. JAMA Intern Med. 2022. PMID 35344001 · DOI · PMC8961394
- Smits MM, Van Raalte DH. Safety of Semaglutide. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021. PMID 34305810 · DOI · PMC8294388
- Monami M, Nreu B, Scatena A, Cresci B, Andreozzi F, Sesti G, et al.. Safety issues with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and cholelithiasis): Data from randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2017. PMID 28244632 · DOI
- Wang X, Yu W, Jiang G, Li H, Li S, Xie L, et al.. Global Epidemiology of Gallstones in the 21st Century: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024. PMID 38382725 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.