An increased frequency of gallbladder stones in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Factors related to gallbladder stone formation.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we determined the frequency of gallbladder stone (GBS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and evaluated factors which could affect the formation of GBS--such as lipids and the GB motilities of the patients.
METHODS: One hundred and thirteen RA patients (92F, 21M, mean disease duration: 8.9 years) and 117 healthy controls (94F, 23M) were included. In all RA patients, the clinical findings were recorded down; biochemical parameters and body mass index (BMI) were determined; and, abdominal ultrasonography was performed. In addition, 16 RA patients and 20 controls who were age-matched were randomly chosen for GB emptying monitored by ultrasound at 30-minute intervals for 2 hours after a mixed meal. Fasting volume (FV), residual volume (RV) and ejection fraction (EF) for all GBs were assessed.
RESULTS: There was a tendency towards a higher frequency of GBS including cholecystectomy (11 GBS, 11 cholecystectomy, 19.5%) in RA patients when compared to controls (8 GBS, 5 cholecystectomy, 11.1%) (p = 0.08). The frequency of GBS plus cholecyctectomy in female RA patients (22.8%) was significantly higher than the control group (11.7%, p = 0.044). Logistic regression analysis showed that only older age was significantly associated with the presence of GBS in RA (OR:1.05, p = 0.048). There was no difference between the 2 groups in FV (p > 0.05). RV, PRV and EF were significantly higher in RA patients than in the control group (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: We diagnosed a higher frequency of GBS in female RA patients when compared to controls. Impaired GB motility in RA patients might contribute to an increased incidence of GBS development.