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Comparative study of gallbladder motility in patients with chronic HCV hepatitis and with HCV cirrhosis

Claudia Buzaş1, Olimpia Chira, Teodora Mocan

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, 3rd Medical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. claudia_buzas77@yahoo.com

Romanian Journal of Internal Medicine = Revue Roumaine De Medecine Interne
|October 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Gallbladder motility is reduced in patients with chronic hepatitis C and cirrhosis, indicated by slower emptying and increased wall thickness. This impaired function may increase the risk of gallstone formation in these liver disease patients.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to liver cirrhosis.
  • Gallbladder (GB) function may be affected by liver disease.
  • Understanding GB motility in HCV patients is crucial for assessing associated risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare gallbladder emptying in patients with chronic hepatitis C versus HCV-related cirrhosis.
  • To evaluate specific gallbladder parameters including volume, ejection fraction, and wall thickness.
  • To identify potential correlations between gallbladder function and patient characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 20 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 20 with HCV cirrhosis (Child class A), and 20 healthy controls.
  • Exclusion criteria: GB lithiasis, anomalies, obesity, and diabetes mellitus.
  • Measured GB fasting volume, residual volume, ejection fraction, wall thickness, and area under the emptying curve.

Main Results:

  • Cirrhotic patients exhibited larger GB fasting and residual volumes and reduced ejection fraction compared to controls.
  • Chronic hepatitis patients showed larger residual volumes and lower ejection fraction than controls.
  • Increased GB wall thickness was observed in both cirrhotic and chronic hepatitis patients compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced gallbladder motility is present in both chronic hepatitis C and HCV cirrhosis.
  • Increased gallbladder wall thickness may contribute to impaired GB motility.
  • Decreased gallbladder function could be a risk factor for gallstone development in HCV patients.
Abstract

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