title: Association between gallbladder stones and chronic hepatitis C: ultrasonographic survey in a hepatitis C and B hyperendemic township in Taiwan.
abstract: Gallbladder (GB) stones have been associated with several metabolic factors and liver diseases. This community-based study aimed at investigating the prevalence rate of GB stones and its associated factors in a hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-endemic township in southern Taiwan. A total of 1701 residents (689 males and 1012 females; mean age: 51.2 ± 16.0 years) were enrolled in this prospectively designed screening project. Serum biochemistry tests, including testing for levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) were conducted. In addition, a hepatobiliary ultrasonographic (US) examination was also conducted. Of the 1701 residents, 243 (14.3%) and 475 (27.9%) were found to be positive for HBsAg and anti-HCV, respectively. Results of the US examination revealed the prevalence rate of GB stone and fatty liver to be 6.8% and 55.6%, respectively. Using univariate analyses we found that significantly higher proportions of the participants with GB stone were male, over 50 years of age, positive for anti-HCV (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively), with significantly higher mean age and ALT level (p ≤ 0.001 and p = 0.048, respectively) than did those without GB stone. By applying multivariate analyses, male gender, positive anti-HCV, and older age (>50 year) were identified as independent factors associated with the formation of GB stones. Anti-HCV was associated with GB stones in males but not in females in both univariate and multivariate analyses. GB stones were found to have a prevalence rate of 6.8% in this HCV/HBV hyperendemic township and are associated with higher mean age. A correlation between chronic hepatitis C and GB stones is observed only among males.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Yen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Chia-I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ming-Lun
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Meng-Hsuan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Chung-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Nai-Jen
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Ming-Yen
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Jee-Fu
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zu-Yau
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shinn-Cherng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Liang-Yen
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen-Yu
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jong-Shyong
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ming-Lung
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Wan-Long
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chuang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Chronic hepatitis B; Chronic hepatitis C; Gallbladder stone
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