The five 'F's are associated with gallstones. Which of the following is one of the five F's?

The five 'F's are associated with gallstones. Which of the following is one of the five F's?

• A. Appendicitis
• B. Cirrhosis
• C. Gallstones
• D. Pancreatitis

Answer: (C)

The five F’s describe risk factors that predispose to cholesterol gallstones: female, fat, forty, fertile, and fair. These factors contribute to bile that’s supersaturated with cholesterol and to gallbladder stasis, both of which promote stone formation. So, when prompted to name one of the five F’s, you’d pick a trait like being female, rather than naming the stones themselves. Saying gallstones points to the outcome, not a risk factor, so it isn’t one of the five F’s. In practice, recognizing that these are predispositions helps you distinguish risk factors from the condition itself.

The five F’s describe risk factors that predispose to cholesterol gallstones: female, fat, forty, fertile, and fair. These factors contribute to bile that’s supersaturated with cholesterol and to gallbladder stasis, both of which promote stone formation. So, when prompted to name one of the five F’s, you’d pick a trait like being female, rather than naming the stones themselves. Saying gallstones points to the outcome, not a risk factor, so it isn’t one of the five F’s. In practice, recognizing that these are predispositions helps you distinguish risk factors from the condition itself.