title: Gallstones associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and metabolic syndrome in patients with symptomatic gallstones undergoing laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study of 95 patients was performed. Simultaneous liver biopsies were taken during cholecystectomy between 2006 and 2007. There were no postoperative complications. Patients with significant alcohol intake, hepatitis B or C (virus-positive), autoimmune diseases, and Wilson's disease were excluded. Demographics, liver function tests, lipid profile, and ultrasound findings of patients with and without non-alcoholic steatohepatitis were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 95 patients completed the study. The mean age was 52.15 years, and 29 patients were male and 66 female. Fifty-two patients (55%) had biopsies compatible with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fifty-five percent of patients with gallbladder stones had associated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Awareness of this association may result in an earlier diagnosis. The high prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with gallbladder stone may justify routine liver biopsy during cholecystectomy to establish the diagnosis and stage and possibly direct therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul. oktayener@gmail.com
authors.forename: Oktay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yener
authors.forename: Fikret
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aksoy
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demır
authors.forename: Alp
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Özçelık
authors.forename: Canan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erengül
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D015995:Prevalence; D055105:Waist Circumference