Assessment of Gallbladder Diseases in Diabetic Patients Using Ultrasonography

Abstract

People with diabetes are at greater risk of gallbladder diseases due to damage from diabetes to the involuntary nerves that control movement of bowel and gallbladder. Also people with diabetes are generally over weight, and obesity is linked to gallbladder diseases especially gallbladder stones.

This is a cross-sectional study aimed to assess the gallbladder diseases in diabetic patients. 75 diabetic patients were enrolled in the study (42 female and 33 male), their age ranging from 40 to 80 years; presented at Alhasahesa hospital. All patients were scanned using ultrasonography in order to assess gallbladder abnormalities.

The result of this study showed that out of 75 cases, there were 16 cases of Gall stone (21.3%), one was polyp (1.3%), one sludge (1.3%), 5 case presented with a chalculus cholecystitis (6.7%), and 52 cases were normal gallbladder (69.3%).

Diabetic patients had a significantly higher prevalence of gallbladder diseases. Female diabetic patients were significantly more affected than males and the prevalence significantly increased with age particularly in males. Gender, was the most significant risk factors for gallbladder diseases in diabetic patients. By contrast, duration of diabetes did not seem to influence the frequency of gallbladder Stone among diabetics.