An observational study on the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome with gall stone disease requiring cholecystectomy

Impact of metabolic disorders on gallstone disease and perioperative recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Gallstone disease (GSD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are common medical disorders worldwide. This study aimed to ascertain how NAFLD, MAFLD, MetS, and other factors affect the development of GSD, and how the GSD-associated factors influence patient recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

METHODS

We included 200 patients who were diagnosed with GSD and underwent LC between January 2017 and February 2022. A total of 200 subjects without GSD and "non-calculous causes" during the same period were also included as controls. We compared the metabolic disorder differences between GSD patients and controls. Furthermore, we sub-grouped patients based on the comorbidities of preoperative NAFLD, MAFLD, and MetS, and compared the impacts of these comorbidities on short-term post-LC functional recovery of the patients.

RESULTS

The prevalence of NAFLD and MetS were higher in GSD patients (P < 0.05). Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, hyperglycemia [odds ratio (OR) = 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-3.4, P = 0.001] and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-3.1, P = 0.048) were linked to GSD. NAFLD and MetS linked to liver enzymes after LC (P < 0.05). MetS also linked to the levels of inflammatory indicators after LC (P < 0.05). The obesity, hyperlipidemia, low HDL-C level, and hyperglycemia linked to liver enzymes after LC (P < 0.05). Hyperlipidemia, low HDL-C level, and hypertension linked to inflammation after LC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of GSD may be linked to NAFLD and MetS. Hyperglycemia and low HDL-C level were independent risk factors of GSD.

Gallstones increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver: A case-control study

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gallstones are generally seen together, and many of the risk factors for fatty liver and gallstones are common and similar. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between NAFLD and gallstones.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted in patients referred to Imam Khomeini and Golestan hospitals of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences in 2023, whose ultrasound showed fatty liver. Patients who were diagnosed with NAFLD by ultrasound were considered as the case group, and patients who did not have diagnostic findings of fatty liver in ultrasound were considered as the control group. Finally, the information recorded in the checklists was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 26 (SPSS Inc.).

Results

Three hundred patients were included in our study, 150 as cases and 150 as controls. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of gender and age (gender P-value: 0.817/age P-value: 0.102). A statistically significant relationship was found between obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), the presence of gallstones, and NAFLD (weight p-value < 0.001/DM p-value < 0.001/gallstones P-value: 0.03). In addition, based on binary logistic regression analysis, the presence of gallstones increases the odds of NAFLD by 2.33 times (P-value: 0.035). Furthermore, having DM and increasing each BMI unit increases the odds of NAFLD by 16 times and 30%, respectively (BMI p-value < 0.001/DM p-value < 0.001).

Conclusion

Based on the results of our study, gallstones are an important risk factor for NAFLD. The possible mechanisms are the existence of common risk factors between gallstones and NAFLD and the reduction of motility and flow of bile in the bile ducts with the presence of gallstones.

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Gallstones: A Systematic Review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is steatosis of the liver that resembles alcohol-induced liver injury but is a metabolic disorder. Most patients are obese with increased triglyceride levels due to increased intake of fatty food, which can cause excess fat to build up in the liver. At the same time, continuous ingestion of fatty foods can lead to gallstones (GS) due to the overproduction of cholesterol. NAFLD and GS have been seen to coincide, and there might be a relationship between them. This systematic review analyzes the incidence of NAFLD and GS to determine a bidirectional relationship. A comprehensive literature review was done using ProQuest, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, and included only experimental studies and meta-analyses. The search included the keywords 'gallstones and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease' and 'cholelithiasis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease'. Our initial search included 10,665 articles and was narrowed down to 19 through extensive inclusion and exclusion criteria. There is a bidirectional relationship between the incidence of NAFLD and GS, where an increase in either can lead to an increase in the other. Both NAFLD and GS share similar risk factors leading to the development of each disease. On average, there's an increase in the prevalence of gallstones in NAFLD patients, and patients with GS were also more likely to have NAFLD. There was a prevalence of NAFLD in those with asymptomatic gallstones as well, indicating that the risk factors are crucial in the development of both. As a result, some research is determining whether an evaluation of the liver should be routine during cholecystectomy due to the increased risk of developing NAFLD.

Association between metabolically healthy overweight/obesity and gallstones in Chinese adults

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome and obesity are risk factors for gallstones. However, these two factors often occur together, and few studies have focused on the association between metabolically healthy overweight/obesity (MHOW/MHO) and gallstones. We hypothesized that MHO individuals would be associated with the prevalence of gallstones.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 125,668 participants aged 18-80 years at the Health Promotion Center of Run Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine during 2017-2019 years. Each participant underwent a comprehensive health checkup. Gallstones were diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. Metabolically health was defined as not meeting the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome (MetS). Obesity was measured by BMI. MetS and weight stratification were combined to classify the metabolism-obesity phenotypes. Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Among 125,668 participants, 5486 (4.4%) had gallstones. 21407 (17.0%) were MHOW individuals, and 3322 (2.6%) were MHO individuals. MHOW (OR 1.40; 95%CI: 1.29-1.53) and MHO (OR 1.80; 95%CI: 1.53-2.12) participants were at higher risk of gallstones and had larger and more numerous gallstones than metabolically healthy normal weight participants. Obesity, MetS, premenopausal women and advanced age were significantly associated with the prevalence of gallstones.

CONCLUSIONS

MHOW/MHO individuals exhibited a higher risk of gallstones. In metabolically healthy individuals, the risk of gallstones increased with increasing BMI. Thus, obesity was associated with the prevalence of gallstones, even in relatively metabolically healthy adults.

Clinico-epidemiology and aetiopathogenesis of gallstone disease in the South Asian region: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Pathogenesis of gallstones (GS) is multifactorial and is influenced by numerous environmental and genetic risk factors. As a result, clinico-epidemiology and aetiopathogenesis of GS vary in different populations. Understanding the aetiopathogenesis of GS for different populations is imperative in control and prevention of GS disease and its associated complications. This protocol describes the methodology of a scoping review which focuses on synthesising the most updated knowledge on GS disease in South Asia.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The scoping review proposed in this protocol will be guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual. Accordingly, population, concept and context strategy will be used to formulate the scoping review question, eligibility criteria and search strategy. In the search, electronic databases, MEDLINE/PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane library, CINAHL, Trip, and Google scholar, as well as various grey literature sources will be used in synthesising and presenting the findings on clinico-epidemiology and aetiopathogenesis of GS disease in South Asia.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

As secondary data will be used in the study, ethical approval will not be required. The scoping review proposed by this protocol will accurately summarise the current knowledge on GS disease in South Asia based on published and unpublished literature on the field. Thus, the evidence presented in the review will be important for healthcare providers to make decisions on the control and prevention of GS disease and as well as to identify future research priorities on GS disease in South Asia.

Physical activity can reduce the prevalence of gallstone disease among males: An observational study

Several previous studies have reported that physical activity (PA) levels can independently affect the prevalence of gallstone disease (GD) in Western countries. However, this association has not been reported in Eastern countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether PA is an independent determinant of GD prevalence in a Korean population, according to the World Health Organizations Global Recommendations on PA for Health.A total of 8908 subjects who completed a questionnaire underwent medical examination and ultrasound scanning at the Health Promotion Center of the Jeju National University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2018. GD and fatty liver disease were diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound. Biochemical parameters and body mass index were determined, and metabolic syndrome status, age, and PA levels were extracted from medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent factors affecting GD.The estimated rates of PA and GD among male subjects were 23.7% and 4.6%, whereas the rates among females were 18.4% and 4.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis suggested that no PA, old age, and higher aspartate aminotransferase level in males and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease status in females were independent factors affecting GD.In our study, PA was associated with a reduction in GD among males but not females.

Association Between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome with Gallstone Disease, South Iran: A Population-Based Study

AIM

Gallstone disease (GSD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are common problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between NAFLD, MetS and its components with GSD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted as a part of the Kavar Cohort Study (KCS) affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran between January 2012 and January 2018. A total of 2239 participants of the general population of the KCS were selected randomly. Ultrasonography for GSD and NAFLD diagnosis and clinical and laboratory assaying for MetS evaluation were performed for the participants. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP-III) and Criteria for Clinical Diagnosis of MetS in Iranian Adults (CCDMIA) were used for diagnosis of MetS.

RESULTS

Overall, 59 patients with GSD and 177 age- and sex- matched participants without gallstones as a comparison group were enrolled. According to GSD groups, NAFLD was observed in 42.4% and 22.6% of patients with and without GSD, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.003). MetS was present in 33.9% and 39.0% of GSD subjects, compared with 32.8% and 33.3% of the non-GSD group, based on NCEP/ATPIII and CCDMIA, respectively. Although the mean of all components of MetS except HDL-cholesterol were higher in the GSD group than in the non-GSD group,  the difference was only significant in waist circumference (P = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

The present study found an obvious association between NAFLD and GSD. This study also showed a significant association between increasing waist circumference and risk of GSD. We recommend that patients with GSD should be evaluated for the likelihood of NAFLD and its treatment in addition to lifestyle changes to gain proper weight. However, further researches are needed to clarify the relationship between the nature of GSD, NAFLD, and obesity.

Strong association between metabolically-abnormal obesity and gallstone disease in adults under 50 years

BACKGROUND

Age, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are known risk factors for gallstones; however, the combined impact of these different risk factors on gallstone formation has not yet been examined.

METHODS

This retrospective, cross-sectional study involved 3190 participants, including 207 participants (6.5%) with gallstones and 986 (30.9%) with metabolic syndrome. Participants were divided into four phenotypes according to metabolic syndrome and obesity status: 1378 participants were metabolically healthy and non-obese (MHNO); 826 were metabolically healthy but obese (MHO); 185 were metabolically abnormal but not obese (MANO); and 801 participants were metabolically abnormal and obese (MAO).

RESULTS

The MAO and MANO phenotypes had more gallstones than the MHO and MHNO phenotypes, regardless of age (< 50 or ≥ 50 years old). Multivariate analyses showed that phenotype was an independent risk factor for gallstones in participants < 50 years old (odds ratio (OR) = 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.32-2.28). Younger participants also had a higher risk of gallstones in the MAO (OR = 5.41, 95% CI = 2.31-12.66), MANO (OR = 3.18, 95% CI = 0.86-11.75), and MHO (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 0.90-5.22) phenotypes than the MHNO phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Our retrospective results demonstrate an increased association of gallstones in younger people (< 50 years old) with metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Fatty liver increases gallstone disease risk in younger Chinese patients

We investigated possible associations between fatty liver and gallstone disease (GD) in a Chinese population.This cross-sectional study included 897 people who visited the clinical center and underwent ultrasonography at The First Hospital of Jilin University between January 2018 and June 2018.The overall prevalence of GD was 8.8%; the between-sex difference (9.3% in men, 8.4% in women) was not statistically significant. The risk of GD was similar for men and women across all age groups. GD prevalence increased steadily with increasing age, from 2.1% in patients ≤30 years of age to 15.4% in those >70 years of age. Older age (≥50 years) and fatty liver were associated with GD development. Diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.066; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.563-6.013) was associated with GD in female but not in male subjects. In younger patients (<50 years), fatty liver (AOR: 5.268; 95% CI: 1.832-15.147) was associated with GD development.The factors older age and fatty liver predicted GD risk in Chinese individuals. Further studies are required to explore differences in lithogenesis according to sex.

Incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Introduction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a host of disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis liver, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD can occur at all ages, and the highest prevalence is found in the age group of 35-55 years. NAFLD is becoming the commonest cause leading to hepatic cirrhosis, but there is no prescribed therapy for this common condition. Reduction in body weight may reverse the condition.

Aim

To find the prevalence of NAFLD in a cohort of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in this part of the country and also to evaluate the usefulness of routine liver biopsy for the diagnosis of NAFLD.

Materials and Methods

Interventional type of cross-sectional study. In all, 200 consecutive patients underwent a liver biopsy at the end of a standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and detailed histopathological examination was done. Clinical, biochemical, demographic, and anthropometric variables were obtained prospectively. NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) was obtained for each patient. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.

Results

A total of 200 patients (140 females and 60 males) were included in the study. In all, 138 patients were categorized as non-nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), 39 patients as borderline/suspicious NASH, and 23 patients had definitive NASH. A higher body mass index, weight, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, alkaline phosphatise, and weight circumference were found in patients with NASH.

Conclusion

The high prevalence of NAFLD in patients with gallstone disease may justify routine liver biopsy during cholecystectomy to establish the diagnosis, stage, and possibly direct therapy.

Gallbladder stones in patients with severe fatty liver: Ultrasound diagnosis and influencing factors

AIM

To explore the ultrasonographic diagnosis of gallbladder stones in patients with severe fatty liver and to analyze its influencing factors.

METHODS

Two hundred and sixty patients with severe fatty liver who were diagnosed with gallbladder stones by ultrasound from March 2013 to May 2017 at Yiwu Central Hospital were included. All the patients underwent surgery for removal of gallbladder stones. The surgical results were compared with ultrasound results to calculate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and its rates of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis, and to analyze the factors influencing ultrasound diagnosis.

RESULTS

Ultrasound diagnosis of gallbladder stones was confirmed by pathology in 246 of 260 patients, with a diagnostic accuracy rate of 94.62%; typical gallbladder stones were accurately diagnosed in 97.59% of cases, fully filled gallbladder stones in 92.0%, multiple stones in 92.86%, and sediment-like gallstones in 75.0%. Eight cases were misdiagnosed, with a misdiagnosis rate of 5.38% (14/260). The incidence of gallbladder stones in male patients was 98.77%, and the incidence in females was 87.76% (P < 0.01). The incidence rate of gallbladder stones was 89.29% in patients under the age of 40 years, 98.41% in those between 40 and 60 years, and 92.31% in those over 60 years.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound examination can improve the diagnosis of gallbladder stones in patients with severe fatty liver, and factors such as fatty liver, gender and age should be carefully considered to avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver was associated with asymptomatic gallstones in a Chinese population

The aim of this study was to determine the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and asymptomatic gallstones in a Chinese population.The study had a cross-sectional design and enrolled 7583 subjects who visited the physical check-up center at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital between 2009 and 2011. Colorimetric methods were used to measure the levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), whereas fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level was measured using a dextrose-oxidizing enzyme method. Subjects who completed a questionnaire and underwent a medical and ultrasound examinations were included in the study.The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly higher in patients with asymptomatic gallstones than in those without asymptomatic gallstones (58.98% vs 46.58%, respectively; P < .0001). The age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for NAFLD being accompanied by asymptomatic gallstones was 1.35 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13-1.61; P = .0009] in male and 1.92 (95% CI, 1.45-2.54; P < .0001) in female subjects. Asymptomatic gallstones were associated with NAFLD in subjects aged < 50 years (OR = 1.74, 95% CI, 1.44-2.12; P < .0001), but not in subjects aged > 50 years (OR = 1.17, 95% CI, 0.92-1.48; P = .2040). The OR of NAFLD for asymptomatic gallstones was 1.28 after multivariate logistic regression analysis (95% CI, 1.07-1.52; P = .006).Our results indicated that asymptomatic gallstones are strongly associated with NAFLD in the Chinese study population.