Long-standing effect of cholecystectomy in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease

The role of cholecystectomy as a risk factor in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate if long-standing cholecystectomy is associated with advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with recently diagnosed MAFLD.

A retrospective observational study was performed in four hospitals in Mexico including patients with recently diagnosed MAFLD and a history of cholecystectomy. Subjects were divided into those with cholecystectomy ≥6 months before MAFLD diagnosis (ChBM), and those with cholecystectomy at the time of MAFLD diagnosis (ChAM). Odds ratios (OR) for the association of advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis with the timing of cholecystectomy were calculated.

Mean age of 211 participants was 49.06 ± 15.12 years and the majority were female (72.5%). Patients from the ChBM (n = 70) group were significantly older (53.14 vs. 47.03 years; P = 0.003), had higher BMI (30.54 vs. 28.52 kg/m2; P = 0.011) and lower platelet count (236.23 vs. 266.72 × 103/µL; P = 0.046) compared with patients from ChAM group (n = 141). In multivariable-adjusted analysis, age (OR = 2.37; P = 0.024), dyslipidemia (OR = 4.28; P = 0.005) and severe liver fibrosis (OR = 4.68; P = 0.0) were independent risk factors associated with long-standing cholecystectomy.

Patients with long-standing cholecystectomy (≥6 months) are at increased risk of severe liver fibrosis and cirrhosis at the time of MAFLD diagnosis compared to those with recently done cholecystectomy. Advanced age (>50 years) and dyslipidemia are also commonly found in these subjects.