CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH GALLSTONES IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Epidemiology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Gallstones (bile stones) can be asymptomatic or symptomatic, leading to serious complications like acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis.
• The risk of gallstone-related complications escalates after the initial episode of biliary colic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a clinical-epidemiological evaluation of patients hospitalized for gallstone complications.
• To analyze patient demographics, comorbidities, hospitalization duration, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 158 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital's gastroenterology ward.
• Data collected from discharge reports and medical records between January 1, 2013, and February 24, 2021.

Main Results:

• The predominant demographic was female (76.6%), with a mean age of 51.6 years; men were older and had longer hospital stays (mean 24 days).
• Choledocholithiasis was the most frequent complication; 55.7% reported prior biliary colic, and 17.1% had a history of cholecystectomy.
• Diagnostic imaging included ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiography; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was frequently required for both pre- and post-cholecystectomy patients.

Conclusions:

• Female patients predominated, while older men experienced longer hospitalizations.
• Choledocholithiasis was the primary complication, with a significant history of biliary colic reported.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography proved necessary for most patients, and 84% of eligible patients underwent cholecystectomy before discharge.