The risk of gallbladder stone formation is increased in patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease but not those undergoing chronic hemodialysis therapy.
BACKGROUND
It is unclear whether the prevalence of gallbladder stones (GBS) is higher in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).


METHODS
A total of 398 patients with CKD of each of the 5 disease stages [CKD1: 26; CKD2: 52; CKD3: 58; CKD4: 48; CKD5: 214, of whom 61 were predialysis and 153 were on dialysis (CKD5D)] were included in this study. Those in whom GBS were detected by ultrasonographic examination or who had a history of cholecystectomy owing to GBS were considered GBS patients.


RESULTS
In comparison to the GBS prevalence of 5.9% in the control group, that in CKD patients increased with the advancement of the disease stage (CKD1: 7.7%; CKD2: 15.4%; CKD3: 19.0%; CKD4: 20.8%; CKD5 predialysis: 21.3%; CKD5D: 22.9%). The prevalence was significantly greater in CKD5 patients than in the control group. CKD5 is a risk factor for GBS independent of age or sex. However, no significant relationship was found between the prevalence of GBS and the duration of hemodialysis therapy in CKD5D patients. Age was the only factor that was associated with GBS in predialysis CKD patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of GBS formation was high in predialysis CKD patients. Although the risk disappeared in CKD5D patients, the prevalence of GBS was still significantly higher than in the control population. Factors that promote GBS formation in predialysis CKD patients and/or that inhibit GBS formation in CKD5D patients remain unknown.
Kazama
Junichiro James
JJ
Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan. jjkaz@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
Kazama
Sakumi
S
Koda
Ryo
R
Yamamoto
Suguru
S
Narita
Ichiei
I
Gejyo
Fumitake
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors