What type of gallstone disease is the most common in the United States?

Cholesterol gallstones are the most common type of gallstone disease in the United States. They account for approximately 80% of all gallstones. These stones form when there is an imbalance in the substances that make up bile, specifically when there is too much cholesterol in comparison to bile salts and phospholipids. This can occur due to several factors including diet, obesity, and metabolic issues that lead to increased cholesterol levels in the bile.

The formation of cholesterol gallstones is particularly influenced by dietary habits and lifestyle factors, making their prevalence significantly high in Western countries, including the United States. Factors such as high-fat diets contribute to elevated cholesterol levels and increase the risk of gallstone formation.

Other types of gallstones, such as black and brown pigment stones, have different underlying causes related to hemolysis or infection, while calcium carbonate stones are less common overall. Thus, the high incidence of cholesterol gallstones is attributed to dietary lifestyle factors and metabolic changes that are prevalent in the U.S. population.