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Prevalence of cholelithiasis in alcoholic and genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis
D Conte1, D Barisani, C Mandelli
1University of Milan, Italy.
Insights
Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are common in patients with alcoholic or genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis. This study found no specific factors linked to gallstone formation in these liver disease groups.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Cirrhosis, a severe liver disease, can stem from alcohol abuse or genetic haemochromatosis.
- Cholelithiasis (gallstones) prevalence varies, and its association with specific cirrhosis types requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cholelithiasis prevalence in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis versus genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis.
- To identify potential factors associated with gallstone formation in these patient groups.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 350 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis or genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis was studied.
- Data collected included patient demographics, clinical status (Child's class), comorbidities (diabetes, alcohol misuse, beta-thalassemia trait), and HBsAg status.
- Prevalence of cholelithiasis was compared between groups and analyzed against various factors.
Main Results:
- Overall cholelithiasis prevalence was high and similar in both groups (31% alcoholic, 30% genetic haemochromatotic).
- Gallstone prevalence showed no significant differences based on gender, age groups, HBsAg positivity, diabetes, alcohol misuse, or beta-thalassemia trait.
- Factors like body mass index, serum lipids, and liver disease severity (Child's class) did not correlate with cholelithiasis.
Conclusions:
- Cholelithiasis is highly prevalent in both alcoholic and genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis.
- The frequency of gallstones in these cirrhosis patients is approximately three times higher than in the general population.
- No specific risk factors were identified for gallstone development within these cirrhosis cohorts.
Abstract:
The prevalence of cholelithiasis and possible related factors was evaluated in 350 consecutive patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (218 cases, 174 male and 44 female, mean age 58 +/- 9 years) or genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis (132 cases, 115 male and 17 female, mean age 53 +/- 10 years). At enrollment patients with alcoholic cirrhosis were significantly older than those with genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis (P < 0.01), and their clinical status was more severe (Child's class B/C in 99 alcoholic cirrhosis cases versus 27 genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis cases, P < 0.01). The overall frequency of cholelithiasis was 31% (67 cases) in the alcoholic cirrhosis group and 30% (40 cases) in the genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis group, without differences according to gender, classes of age (< or = 49, 50-59, > or = 60 years), or HBsAg positivity in either group. In addition, in the genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis group the presence of diabetes (45 cases), alcohol misuse (38 cases) and beta-thalassemia trait (13 cases) did not influence the prevalence of cholelithiasis. Body mass index, serum cholesterol and triglycerides, and the severity of the underlying liver disease (Child's class) did not distinguish patients with or without cholelithiasis. In conclusion, the frequency of cholelithiasis was high in both alcoholic cirrhosis and genetic haemochromatotic cirrhosis, and was three times higher than that reported in controls from the general population of the same area.