Prevalence of Gallstones in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

• Authors: Mirza MA Baig, Dow University of Health Sciences; Shayan A Irfan, Dow University of Health Sciences; Anusha Sumbal, Dow University of Health Sciences; Ramish Sumbal, Dow University of Health Sciences; Sanjay Kumar, Bahria University Medical and Dental College; Junaid Ahmad, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences; Nikhila Gandrakota, Emory University; Laila Tul Qadar, Dow University of Health Sciences; Maida S Chaudhry, DHR Health Institute for Research and Development, Edinburg, USA.; Azka Feroz, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PAK.; Muhammad Sheharyar Warraich, John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, USA.
• Journal Title: Cureus
• Volume: Volume 14, Number 6
• Publisher: (publisher) | 2022-06, Pages e26121-e26121
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.26121
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: crohn's disease; gallstones; inflmammtory bowel disease; prevalence; ulcerative colitits

Abstract

The meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prevalence of gallstones (GS) in Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially ulcerative colitis (UC). A systematic and thorough search was conducted on online electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) from the databases' inception to April 30th, 2022. Review Manager 5.4.1 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen) was used for all statistical analyses and forest plots. Only studies that met inclusion criteria were selected. The selected studies were pooled using a random-effect model and the results were reported in the odds ratio (OR) with their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Ten studies met the final inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Patients with UC had significantly higher prevalence of GS than those in the control group (OR=1.67 [1.32-2.11]; p < 0.0001; I2=58%). There was also significant prevalence of GS in Crohn's disease (CD) than those in control group (OR=2.22 [1.82, 2.69]; p < 0.00001; I2=31%). Analysis also showed the prevalence of GS in studies conducted in Asia (OR=2.00 [1.48, 2.70]; p < 0.00001; I2=80%) and Europe (OR= 1.84 [1.32, 2.55]; p = 0.0003; I2=45%) compared to the control group. This study provided a conclusive answer to whether GS is significant in UC or not. Our meta-analysis provides a well-powered estimate that there is a prevalence of GS in UC. CD is also significantly associated with GS.