Is Single or Multiple Gallbladder Stones a Coincidence or Related to Any Contributory Factor

Abstract Stone disease is one of the most widespread gastrointestinal diseases and burdens healthcare systems considerably. It is expected to increase in aging populations at risk. Gallbladder stone formation is a multifaceted metabolic disorder. It is an unclear critical pathogenic mechanism. The gallstone formation is due to multiple environmental influences, common genetic factors, and their interactions. Due to that, primary or secondary prevention schemes are not possible, except for cholecystectomy. Data from recent identical twin, family, and linkage studies offer definite evidence for a strong genetic component to gallstone disease. This review summarizes recent data on the role of genetic, gallbladder, and gut motility with biliary lipid composition in either single- or multiple-stone formation.