Letter to the Editor
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 14, 2024; 30(46): 4977-4982
Published online Dec 14, 2024. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i46.4977
Insights from exploring the interrelated dynamics of gallstone disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and kidney stone disease
Haewon Byeon
Haewon Byeon, Department of Digital Anti-aging Healthcare (BK21), Inje University, Gimhae 50834, South Korea
Author contributions: Byeon H contributed to the paper’s writing and research design, data interpretation, and writing the article.
Supported by Basic Science Research Program Through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education, No. RS-2023-00237287; and Local Government-University Cooperation-Based Regional Innovation Projects, No. 2021RIS-003.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author reports no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Haewon Byeon, Associate Professor, PhD, Department of Digital Anti-aging Healthcare (BK21), Inje University, No. 197 Injero, Gimhae 50834, South Korea. bhwpuma@naver.com
Received: September 30, 2024
Revised: October 23, 2024
Accepted: November 5, 2024
Published online: December 14, 2024
Processing time: 52 Days and 1.3 Hours
Abstract

This article delved into the comprehensive study by Jiang et al, which meticulously examined the bidirectional relationships among gallstone disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and kidney stone disease through a multicenter study, systematic review, and meta-analysis. The study provides significant evidence supporting these associations, offering valuable insights into the etiology and potential prevention strategies for these interconnected conditions. The clinical significance of these bidirectional relationships is profound, as they underscore the importance of recognizing these conditions not only as isolated diseases but as part of a complex network that can influence each other. These results highlight the critical need for thorough screening and personalized prevention strategies for individuals with these interconnected conditions. Explicit implications for prevention strategies and early screening practices are crucial, as they can lead to early detection and intervention, significantly altering disease progression and outcomes. Furthermore, identifying potential therapeutic targets within these shared pathways may enhance treatment efficacy and patient outcomes, making this research highly relevant to clinical practice. By comprehending the common pathophysiological mechanisms and applying specific interventions, healthcare professionals can greatly enhance patient care and lessen the impact of these widespread diseases on global health.

Keywords: Gallstones; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Kidney calculi; Cross-sectional study; Multidisciplinary screening; Chronic disease prevention; Individualized prevention strategies; Systemic inflammation; Insulin resistance; Shared pathophysiology

Core Tip: This article emphasizes the significant bidirectional associations among gallstone disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and kidney stone disease as presented in the study by Jiang et al. Through a multicenter cross-sectional study, systematic review, and meta-analysis, the research reveals robust evidence of these interconnections, independent of common risk factors like obesity and insulin resistance. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive screening and individualized prevention strategies for patients diagnosed with any of these conditions. By recognizing the shared pathophysiological mechanisms, healthcare providers can enhance chronic disease prevention, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the socio-economic burden associated with these prevalent diseases.