Ultrasonic gallbladder function in chronic kidney disease: Does predialysis, hemodialysis, or CAPD affect it?

Background. There are contradictory reports about the prevalence of cholelithiasis in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The pathogenesis of gallstones is associated with the lithogenic changes of bile composition, increased tendency to nucleation, and decreased gallbladder motility. The studies related to these factors can predict the development of cholelithiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonic gallbladder function in CKD and to compare it in predialysis (PreD), hemodialysis (HD), and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Methods. Age, gender, and body mass index matched 49 CKD patients (14 PreD, 19 HD, 16 CAPD), and 17 control individuals were included in the study. Diabetic and cirrhotic patients were not included. Ultrasonic gallbladder volume was evaluated in pre- and postprandial period, and ejection fraction was calculated. We also measured several biochemical parameters (cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, calcium, Phosphorus, parathormone, albumin, total protein) in blood. Results. Preprandial gallbladder volume in PreD, HD, CAPD, and control groups were 26.7 +/- 13.6, 20.8 +/- 10.4, 23.2 +/- 14.7, and 26.4 +/- 14.8 mL, respectively (p > 0.05). Ejection fractions were 54.1 +/- 22.9%, 54.9 +/- 23.9%, 48.6 +/- 15.9%, and 51.8 +/- 19.2% in PreD, HD, CAPD, and control groups, respectively (p > 0.05). Serum triglyceride was higher in PreD patients than control group (207 +/- 144 vs. 110 +/- 48 mg/dL) (p < 0.05). Serum BUN, Cre, P, and PTH levels were higher in CKD groups than the control group, whereas serum total protein and albumin levels were higher in the control group (p < 0.05). Serum Ca was lower in PreD and HD patients than in the controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions. In conclusion, CKD and renal replacement therapy (HD and CAPD) do not affect gallbladder functions, but more studies are needed to evaluate prevalence of gallstones, gallbladder motility, and the composition of bile in CKD.