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Background: A substantial group of patients with gallstone disease experience negative outcome after surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). Early identification of these patients is important.Purpose: The aim of the study is to identify predictors (clinical symptoms and trait anxiety) of negative symptomatic outcomes at 6 weeks after cholecystectomy.Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 133), 18-65 years, with symptomatic gallstone disease, completed symptom checklists and the state-trait anxiety inventory preoperatively and at 6 weeks after cholecystectomy.Results: High trait anxiety was the only predictor of persistence of biliary symptoms at 6 weeks after cholecystectomy (OR = 6.88).Conclusion: In addition to clinical symptoms, high trait anxiety is a predictor of negative symptomatic outcome at 6 weeks after cholecystectomy. Trait anxiety should be evaluated to aim at a patient-tailored approach in gallstone disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]