Gall bladder volume and function in obese individuals

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on 50 obese and 50 average weight females with normal laboratory investigations. Gallbladder volumes were measured in fasting state and 1 1/2 hours after a liquid fatty meal by ultrasonography. The incidence of gall stones in the obese group was 28% compared to 2% in non-obese group. The fasting gallbladder volume in the obese group was [32.7 +/- 8.9] which was significantly higher than non-obese group [16.1 +/- 2.7] and the postprandial volume was also higher in the obese [14.6 +/- 5.02] than non-obese group [2.9 +/- 1.07]. The cases with morbid obesity had significantly larger fasting volume than the rest of obese females [39.3 +/- 12.3 versus 27.7 +/- 4.9] and also larger postprandial volume [25.7 +/- 6.7 versus 11.7 +/- 4.03]. The incidence of gall stones in the morbidly obese was 40% compared to 14.3% in the rest of obese females. The volumes of gallbladder were also significantly higher in android obesity group compared to gynoid obesity, with a higher incidence of gall stones in the android group. It is concluded that gallbladder contractility is impaired in obese females especially in morbid obesity and android obesity