Genetic and environmental influences on symptomatic gallstone disease: a Swedish twin study of 43141 twin pairs

Aims: Human gallstone disease is a complex trait, but the overall importance of genetic factors has yet to be defined. Twin studies are a valuable source of information about the genetic basis of complex genetic traits. Our aim was to calculate the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors for susceptibility to symptomatic gallstone disease by analyzing a large twin population. Methods: The Swedish Twin Registry was linked with the Swedish Inpatient and Causes of Death Registries for gallstone disease and gallstone surgery-related diagnoses in 43141 twin pairs born between 1900 and 1958. Concordan…