Cholecystodynamics: a new regression formula

ABSTRACT

Lack of good response to Milk ingestion has been noted in gallbladder diseases. No regression relationship has been established between Gallbladder Emptying Rate [GBER] and Gallbladder Volume [GBV]. To investigate 20th minute GBER in adult Africans of Nigerian descent Fifty healthy volunteers [29 men and 21 women] underwent serial Ultrasound scanning of the gallbladder between January to March 2005. The length, width and height measurements of the gallbladder were taken with 3.5MHz linear phase an-ay tr and ucer in prepr and ial [Pasting] state and 20 minutes post-pr and ial phase Gallbladder volumes were calculated and the 20th minute emptying rate computed. Anthropometric variables were equally measured. GBER was coi related with other clinical parameters. The mean GBER in men +/- st and ard deviation was 0.842 +/- 0.47 and 0.721 +/- 0.512 in women. There was no significant difference between mean GBER of men and women [P>0.05]. The calculated GBER showed strong and significant correlation with GBV in men [r= 0.8427; p< 0.05] and women [r= 0.8099; p< 0.05]. The correlation was expressed as follows GBER = 0.0264GBV - 0.0065, r = 0.8427 and GBER = 0.0274GBV - 0.0901, r = 0.8099 for men and women respectively. The coefficient of variation [CV] of GBER in men was 55.8% while women showed a higher CV [non uniformity] of 71.0%. Values for GBER of the normal gallbladder can be helpful in the assessment of gallbladder and other related abnormalities