Ultrasonographic evaluation of gallbladder volume in diabetics.
OBJECTIVE
Ultrasonographic determination of gallbladder volume in diabetics [both type I and type 2], it's comparison with a control group, and correlation of gallbladder volume in diabetics with parameters such as age, sex, body mass index, parity, hyperlipidaemia, and autonomic neuropathy.


METHODS
Ninety one cases of diabetes mellitus and 40 healthy controls were recruited for the study. A detailed history and physical examination were recorded. Laboratory investigations done were--fasting and postprandial blood sugar, glycosylated haemoglobin, microalbuminuria, and serum lipid profile. Autonomic neuropathy was determined by using simple non-invasive bedside tests. Fasting gallbladder volume was measured by ultrasonography (calculated by ellipsoid formula).


RESULTS
The mean fasting gallbladder volume was 18.20 +/- 2.54 ml in type I diabetics and 25.87 +/- 13.90 ml in type 2 diabetics, with a minimum value of 9.30 ml and maximum value of 88 ml. When type 2 diabetics were subgrouped according to the presence of autonomic neuropathy, higher gallbladder volumes were seen in patients with autonomic neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Cholecystomegaly, to a significant degree, was found in type 2 diabetics in the present study. It was significantly correlated with age, body mass index, and the severity of autonomic neuropathy. In male type 2 diabetics, gallbladder volume was significantly correlated with LDL cholesterol levels. In female type 2 diabetics, gallbladder volume was significantly correlated with waist-hip ratio. Gallbladder volume also had significant correlation with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, but not with glycaemic control, microalbuminuria, hypertension, or the duration of diabetes.
Agarwal
A K
AK
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi - 110001, India.
Miglani
S
S
Singla
S
S
Garg
U
U
Dudeja
R K
RK
Goel
A
A
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D042882:Gallstones / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography