Authors : A.B. Olokoba , B.J. Bojuwoye , L.B. Olokoba , K.T. Braimoh , A.K. Inikori and A.A. Abdulkareem
Abstract: It is known that chronic liver disease is a risk factor for Gallstone disease. Gallstone disease is also known to cause liver disease and a derangement of its enzymes. This study is therefore to examine the relationship between Gallstone disease and liver enzymes. One hundred adult Nigerians (50 males and 50 females) underwent real time ultrasonography to determine the relationship between liver enzymes and Gallstone disease. Demographic characteristics and liver enzymes were determined for each of the participant. Longitudinal and transverse scans of the right upper quadrant was done in both the supine and left lateral positions. The ultrasound examinations were done in the morning following an overnight fast (to prevent Gallbladder contraction) without sedation. Patients with known risk factors for Gallstone disease such as haemolytic disorders like sickle cell disease and pregnancy were excluded from the study. Patients who have had cholecystectomy were also excluded. Ultrasound findings were considered positive for the presence of Gallstone disease only in those in whom reproducible echogenic masses with possible acoustic shadows were seen. Seven percent (4 females and 3 males) had ultrasound evidence of gallstone disease. The mean serum levels of total and conjugated bilirubin were higher in the patients with Gallstone disease than in those without Gallstone disease 22.5±15.9 umol L-1 (p = 0.089) and 10.1±5.9 umol L-1 (p = 0.166), respectively. The mean serum Alanine amino-transferase, Aspartate amino-transferase and Alkaline phosphatase levels were also higher in those with Gallstone disease than in those without Gallstone disease 24.0±5.7 iu L-1 (p = 0.113), 25.0±13.9 iu L-1 (p = 0.322) and 47.5±47.4 iu L-1 (p = 0.667), respectively. The mean serum Total protein and Albumin levels were lower in those with Gallstone disease than in those without Gallstone disease 52.5±24.7 g L-1 (p = 0.552) and 25.5±2.1 g L-1 (p = 0.406), respectively. The mean serum levels of Bilirubin (total and conjugated), Alanine amino-transferase, Aspartate amino-transferase and Alkaline phosphatase tended to be elevated in individuals with Gallstone disease than in those without Gallstone disease even though the difference is of no statistical significance. The mean serum total protein and Albumin also tended to be lower in individuals with Gallstone disease than in those without Gallstone disease, this also is of no statistical significance.
A.B. Olokoba , B.J. Bojuwoye , L.B. Olokoba , K.T. Braimoh , A.K. Inikori and A.A. Abdulkareem , 2009. Relationship Between Gallstone Disease and Liver Enzymes. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 3: 1-3.