Hepatitis C virus infection facilitates gallstone formation.
BACKGROUND
Bile duct damage and hepatic steatosis are two characteristic histological findings in hepatitis C virus infection; and high prevalence of hepatitis C antibody is noted in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between biliary diseases and hepatitis C virus infection.


METHODS
Persons who received a general checkup in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2000 and 2002 were included. All of them had hemogram, serum biochemistry, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibody and ultrasonography studies. The prevalence of gallbladder stone, bile duct stone and gallbladder polyp/cholesterolosis were compared in different viral infection groups.


RESULTS
Of the 28 486 persons, 22 967 were negative for both hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody (group NBNC), 4152 were hepatitis B surface antigen carriers (broup B), 1195 were positive for hepatitis C antibody (group C), and 172 were positive for both markers. The 379 persons (1.3%) having had cholecystectomy were considered to have gallbladder stone at the time when cholecystectomy was done. Gallbladder stone was found in 6.0% persons of group NBNC, 5.4% in group B and 11.7% in group C. The prevalence of gallbladder stone in group C was found especially high for age groups 31-40 years and 61-70 years. The prevalence of bile duct stone was higher in group C (0.4%) than in group NBNC or B (both 0.1%). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age, liver cirrhosis, body mass index, hepatitis C virus infection and gender were independent factors associated with gallbladder stone.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis C virus infection facilitates gallstone formation.
Chang
Te-Sheng
TS
Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lo
Sing Kai
SK
Shyr
Hueih-Yuan
HY
Fang
Ji-Tseng
JT
Lee
Wei-Chen
WC
Tai
Dar-In
DI
Sheen
I-Shyan
IS
Lin
Deng-Yn
DY
Chu
Chia-Ming
CM
Liaw
Yun-Fan
YF
D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D042882:Gallstones / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000209:etiology
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies