Black stones and brown stones exist. Black stones are found in people with hemolytic disorders. Brown stones are found in the intrahepatic or extrahepatic duct. They are associated with infection in the gallbladder and commonly are found in Asian people. Hispanic Americans are at increased risk for stones.
Asymptomatic gallstones have no mortality.
Morbidity and mortality is related to symptomatic cholelithiasis. Prevalence of gallstones is highest in fair-skinned people of northern European descent and in Hispanic populations. In addition, Asians with stones are more likely to have pigmented stones than non-Asian populations. Etiology may be due to the variations of estrogen causing increased cholesterol secretion and progesterone causing bile stasis. Pregnant women are more likely to experience symptomatic gallstones due to the hormonal influences and decreased gut motility.