Abstract and Introduction
Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate gallbladder function in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients.
Methods: The functions of gallbladder were investigated every 30 min for 4 h. In addition, ejection fraction of the gallbladder was calculated from the fasting and post-prandial volumes.
Results: In IBS patients and healthy controls, fasting gallbladder volumes were 19.64 ± 3.09 mL and 20.04 ± 1.82 mL, and residual volumes after 3 h were 3.36 ± 6.82 mL and 9.74 ± 1.50 mL. Except for the residual volume after 3 h, all these results were not statistically significant. Residual volume after 3 h was statistically significantly lower in the IBS patients than in the controls (P < 0.001). Ejection fraction of the gallbladder was significantly higher in the IBS patients than in the controls (84% vs 55%, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Gallbladder contraction in patients with IBS was not different from that of a control group at post-prandial second hour but was signigicantly more pronounced at the end of 3 h when compared with controls. Ejection fraction of the gallbladder was higher in IBS patients when compared with controls.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disease characterized by irregular and altered defecation, abdominal distension, bloating or pain.[1] Irritable bowel syndrome has been defined as not only motility disorder in the colon but also as motor abnormality of the esophagus, small intestines, and even of the urinary bladder.[2,3,4] Patients with IBS have abnormality in smooth muscle, largely affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The reasons for motility alteration are not clear. Abnormalities have been found in autonomous nervous system functions and cholecystokinin (CCK) release in patients with IBS,[5] which, in turn, are likely to cause functional disorders in other related organs. Autonomic nervous system and CCK play an important role in normal gallbladder function.[6,7] In addition to the continuation of gallbladder tonus in the interdigestive period, the cholinergic system helps gallbladder contractions after meals.[6] The gallbladder functions are abnormal in diabetes mellitus patients with autonomic neuropathy and in patients who have undergone vagotomy.[8,9] The number of studies providing an exact evaluation of gallbladder function in patients with IBS is limited. Furthermore, various contradictory results have been reported ranging from disorder in the gallbladder contractibility to normal functioning.[10,11] Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate gallbladder function and contractability ultrasonographically in patients with IBS and investigate the extent to which gallbladder function is affected in these patients.
J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;21(8):1309-1312. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing
Cite this: Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Gallbladder Functions in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Medscape - Aug 01, 2006.
Comments