Effects of gender and age on prevalence of cholelithiasis in patients with chronic HCV infection: A community-based cross-sectional study in an HCV-hyperendemic area.

This study investigated the effects of age and gender on the prevalence of cholelithiasis in patients with chronic HCV infection.Demographic and clinical data of 8489 subjects (3671 males, 4818 females; mean age 47.5 years) receiving township-wide health examinations between September 2012 and August 2013 were analyzed. The main endpoint was prevalence of cholelithiasis. Risk factors (age, gender, body mass index, concomitant diseases, lifestyle, laboratory parameters, and HCV status) were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associations between cholelithiasis and variables.Cholelithiasis was more prevalent among HCV subjects than non-HCV subjects (females: 8.1% vs 4.2%; males: 9.1% vs 3.9%; both P < .001); rates ranged from 5.6% to 8.3% in females and 4.7% to 10.6% in males. HCV status and age were associated with cholelithiasis occurrence (OR = 2.17 for HCV vs non-HCV; OR = 2.44, 3.54 for age 45-55, and >55 vs <45 years; all P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between cholelithiasis and age/sex interaction terms (OR = 0.517 for age >55 vs <45 for sex; P = .011). Cholelithiasis prevalence was significantly associated between age and sex interaction terms but not anymore if considering positive HCV status. All noninvasive tests for liver fibrosis were associated with cholelithiasis but only fibrosis-4 index was significantly associated (OR = 1.28, P = .019).Age, gender, and HCV infection are associated with increased risk and prevalence of cholelithiasis. After age of 55 years, cholelithiasis is more prevalent among HCV-positive males than females. Females of age 55 and more may be protected against cholelithiasis as sex hormones decrease.

Hepatitis C virus infection facilitates gallstone formation.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct damage and hepatic steatosis are two characteristic histological findings in hepatitis C virus infection; and high prevalence of hepatitis C antibody is noted in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between biliary diseases and hepatitis C virus infection. METHODS: Persons who received a general checkup in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2000 and 2002 were included. All of them had hemogram, serum biochemistry, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibody and ultrasonography studies. The prevalence of gallbladder stone, bile duct stone and gallbladder polyp/cholesterolosis were compared in different viral infection groups. RESULTS: Of the 28 486 persons, 22 967 were negative for both hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody (group NBNC), 4152 were hepatitis B surface antigen carriers (broup B), 1195 were positive for hepatitis C antibody (group C), and 172 were positive for both markers. The 379 persons (1.3%) having had cholecystectomy were considered to have gallbladder stone at the time when cholecystectomy was done. Gallbladder stone was found in 6.0% persons of group NBNC, 5.4% in group B and 11.7% in group C. The prevalence of gallbladder stone in group C was found especially high for age groups 31-40 years and 61-70 years. The prevalence of bile duct stone was higher in group C (0.4%) than in group NBNC or B (both 0.1%). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age, liver cirrhosis, body mass index, hepatitis C virus infection and gender were independent factors associated with gallbladder stone. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C virus infection facilitates gallstone formation.

[PCR in detecting the correlation between infection of HBV and cholelithiasis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between cholelithiasis and the infection of HBV. METHOD: 32 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded gallbladder samples of cholelithiasis patients and 20 gallbladder samples of non-cholelithiasis patients were investigated using the polymerase chain reaction-Ethidium bromide (PCR-EB) assay. The 52 patients were positive to HBV serologic markers. RESULT: The results showed that HBV-DNA was found in 13 gallbladder samples of 32 cholelithiasis patients (40.63%), significantly higher than that in 3 gallbladder samples of 20 non-cholelithiasis patients (15%). CONCLUSION: The infection of HBV and the formation of cholelithiasis are correlated.