Evaluation of gallbladder motility in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Background: Abnormalities involving smooth muscle function in different systems of the body have been reported in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There are a few studies on gallbladder function in this disorder with conflicting results. Objectives: To investigate the motility of gallbladder in patients with IBS. Patients and methods: Forty-eight patients (15 male and 3 3 female) with IBS and 48 healthy volunteers (15 male and 3 3 female) were included into the study. Thirty-four patients (70.8%) had constipation predominant and 14 patients (29.2%) had diarrhoea predominant type of IBS. Fasting and postprandial gallbladder volumes were studied using real time ultrasonography and ejection fraction (EF) of gallbladder was calculated. Results: While fasting gallbladder volume (FGV) was similar between IBS and control groups (18.0 +/- 4.0 ml vs. 17.8 +/- 4.9 ml, p > 0.05), postprandial gallbladder volume (PGV) was lower in IBS group than in the control group (5.5 +/- 1.4 ml vs. 6.2 +/- 1.9 ml, p = 0.03). Accordingly, the mean EF of gallbladders was found to be higher in IBS group than in the control group (69.1% vs. 64.1%, p = 0.0001). There were no difference in FGV, PGV and EF of gallbladders between constipation predominant and diarrhoea predominant IBS patients (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that IBS patients have increased emptying of gallbladder compared to healthy subjects.