Gallbladder wall thickening in patients with acute hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder wall thickening (GWT) is often observed in patients with acute hepatitis (AH). However, little is known regarding the relationship between AH and GWT. We analyzed the characteristics of GWT in patients with AH.

METHOD: Between April 2002 and April 2007, 232 patients with AH underwent a sonographic examination. The clinical and laboratory findings of patients with GWT were evaluated and compared with patients without GWT. Data were recorded for the following variables: gender, age, laboratory findings, duration of symptom, presence of gallstone, and etiology of GWT.

RESULTS: A total of 147 (63%) patients with AH had GWT. GWT in patients with an alanine aminotransferase level more than 500 IU/l (5.2 +/- 3.4 mm) was greater than that in other patients (3.9 +/- 2.3 mm; p < 0.05). Hepatitis A virus infection (odds ratio = 3.17 [1.42-7.09]), female gender (odds ratio = 2.47 [1.34-4.56]), and an elevated total bilirubin level (odds ratio = 1.09 [1.03-1.15]) were positively associated with GWT.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of GWT in patients with AH was 63%, and there was an association with hepatitis A virus infection, female gender, and an elevated total bilirubin level.