title: An increased frequency of gallbladder stones in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Factors related to gallbladder stone formation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we determined the frequency of gallbladder stone (GBS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and evaluated factors which could affect the formation of GBS--such as lipids and the GB motilities of the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirteen RA patients (92F, 21M, mean disease duration: 8.9 years) and 117 healthy controls (94F, 23M) were included. In all RA patients, the clinical findings were recorded down; biochemical parameters and body mass index (BMI) were determined; and, abdominal ultrasonography was performed. In addition, 16 RA patients and 20 controls who were age-matched were randomly chosen for GB emptying monitored by ultrasound at 30-minute intervals for 2 hours after a mixed meal. Fasting volume (FV), residual volume (RV) and ejection fraction (EF) for all GBs were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a tendency towards a higher frequency of GBS including cholecystectomy (11 GBS, 11 cholecystectomy, 19.5%) in RA patients when compared to controls (8 GBS, 5 cholecystectomy, 11.1%) (p = 0.08). The frequency of GBS plus cholecyctectomy in female RA patients (22.8%) was significantly higher than the control group (11.7%, p = 0.044). Logistic regression analysis showed that only older age was significantly associated with the presence of GBS in RA (OR:1.05, p = 0.048). There was no difference between the 2 groups in FV (p > 0.05). RV, PRV and EF were significantly higher in RA patients than in the control group (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We diagnosed a higher frequency of GBS in female RA patients when compared to controls. Impaired GB motility in RA patients might contribute to an increased incidence of GBS development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Trakya Medical Faculty, University of Trakya, Edirne-Turkey. omernpamuk@yahoo.com
authors.forename: O N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Pamuk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Umit
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Unlü
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Köker
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cakir
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D041761:Cholecystolithiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology*; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying / Q000502:physiology; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal