Gallbladder motor function in obese versus lean females.

Gallbladder motility was studied in 18 obese women and in 18 lean females by means of an ultrasonographic method. The fasted and meal-stimulated gallbladder volumes as well as the amount of the ejected bile were significantly larger in the obese when compared to the lean controls. A significant positive correlation was found between the fasted or meal-stimulated gallbladder volume and the body mass as well as the obesity indices (the absolute overweight and body mass index). Moreover, the amount of the ejected bile correlated significantly with the fasted gallbladder volume. The results suggest that altered gallbladder motility should be considered a risk factor accounting for the increased incidence of gallstones in the obese.