Is biliary pain exclusively related to gallbladder stones? A controlled prospective study

BACKGROUND: The uncertainty around true clinical manifestations of gallbladder stone disease is in contrast with the unanimous recommendation that only symptomatic gallstones should be treated. AIM: To evaluate the relationship between biliary pain, other gastrointestinal symptoms and gallstones. DESIGN OF STUDY: A pragmatic, prospective cohort questionnaire study. SETTING: Seventy-five general practices in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. METHOD: All patients suspected by their general practitioner (GP) to have gallstone disease underwent ultrasound examination of the upper abdomen. Using a self-a... Mehr ...