The impact of gallbladder cholesterolosis on the morphology of gallstones

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impact of gallbladder cholesterolosis on the morphology of gallstones. Methods: The patients with gallstone who underwent cholecystectomy at the Gallstone Disease Center of East Hospital Affiliated to Tongjin University from December 2020 to October 2021 were retrospectively included. The patients were divided into the case group (sludge-like) and the control group (non-sludge-like stone), based on gallstone morphology. Clinical baseline characteristics between the two groups were compared. The related factors influencing gallstone morphology were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 110 patients were included, with 30 cases in the case group (13 males, 17 females), aged 26-73 (54±14) years, 80 cases in the control group (24 males, 56 females), aged 18-75 (45±13) years. The age of the case group was higher than that of the control group (P=0.003). The occurrence rate of occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR) was higher in the case group compared to the control group [33.3% (10/30) vs 13.8% (11/80), P=0.020]; the occurrence rate of gallbladder cholesterolosis was lower in the case group compared to the control group [30.0% (9/30) vs 73.8% (59/80), P<0.001]. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gallbladder cholesterolosis (OR=0.19, 95%CI: 0.07-0.49, P=0.001) was a significant factor associated with sludge-like stones. Conclusion: Gallbladder cholesterolosis can cause the formation of different forms of cholecystolithiasis, and promote the occurrence and development of "solid stones".