Usefulness of gallbladder ejection fraction estimation to predict the recurrence of biliary pain in patients with symptomatic gallstones who did not undergo cholecystectomy.
This study was performed to evaluate any predictable factors associated with recurrence of biliary pain in symptomatic gallstone patients who did not undergo cholecystectomy because of operative risk, advanced age, and/or their refusal. The relationships among age, gender, body mass index, frequency of biliary pain before diagnosis, period between the last symptom attack and the hospital visit, size and number of gallstones, gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF), compliance of ursodeoxycholic acid therapy, and recurrence of biliary pain were examined. The recurrence of biliary pain developed in 15 of 31 patients during the median 29-month follow-up. The cumulative 1-, 2-, and 3-year recurrence rates of biliary pain were 22.8, 40.9, and 53.0% and significantly associated with abnormal GBEF (hazard ratio, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.10-8.87; P = 0.032). In symptomatic gallstone patients with abnormal GBEF, cholecystectomy is strongly advisable because of the high risk of repeated pain attacks.
Hong
Sung Noh
SN
Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Jong Kyun
JK
Lee
Kyu Taek
KT
Heo
Jin Seok
JS
Choi
Seong Ho
SH
Rhee
Poong Lyul
PL
Paik
Seung Woon
SW
Yoo
Byung Chul
BC
Rhee
Jong Chul
JC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D041761:Cholecystolithiasis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003085:Colic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence