[Cholelithiasis in patients with liver cirrhosis]

We retrospectively studied 67 cirrhotic patients hospitalized in the service of gastroenterology of Hospital Daniel A. Carrión, Callao, Perú, between June 1993 and July 1995, aimed to determine the frequency of cholelithiasis and its main clinical and epidemiological features. Twelve out of 67 cirrhotic patients (17.91%) had cholelithiasis. 24% of women and 14.3% of men were affected (p > 0.05). The mean age of women and men were 57.33 and 57.5 years old respectively (range: 41-67 years old). The frequency of cholelithiasis did not increase with age and the proportionally most affected age group was 41-50 years (33.33%). Alcoholic etiology was the most often in cirrhotic patients with cholelithiasis (41.67%). The severity of liver disease influenced in the cholelithiasis frequency (p = 0.001) and 33.33% of patients with gallstones were in grade C of Child Pugh Score. Two thirds of patients were asymptomatic. We conclude: 1. Cholelithiasis in our cirrhotic patients more prevalent than in general population (17.91% vs 0.7-5%). 2. Age did not influence in cholelithiasis prevalence in our cirrhotic patients. 3. The severity of liver disfunction influenced in highly significant way (p = 0.001) on cholelithiasis prevalence. 4. Cirrhotic patients with gallstones had mostly (66.67%) an asymptomatic course.