Gallbladder sizes in patients with arterial hypertension, obesity and hypothyroidism: correlation analysis

Abstract

Our previous studies showed that patients with arterial hypertension and excessive weight or obesity presented with the significantly enlarged gallbladder, both fasting and after taking cholekinetic. The gallbladder ejection fraction was below the normal range, and poor blood pressure control was accompanied by further gallbladder over distension, reduction of its contractility and increased risk of gallstone formation. This needs further research, especially considering hypothyreoidism. The aim is to establish correlations of the sonographically estimated gallbladder sizes in patients with arterial hypertension, obesity and hypothyreoidism. Materials and methods. The cohort of 40 patients (females 90%, males 10%) with arterial hypertension, body overweight/obesity and h underlying hypothyroidism was examined; sonographically estimated gallbladder sizes are compared with clinical, laboratory and instrumental data. Kendall's rank correlation method was applied; significance threshold was taken as р < 0,05. Results. In patients with arterial hypertension and overweight/obesity, the sizes of GB are enlarged both in cases of hypothyreoidism 64,4 mm (56–87) and 25 mm (21,2–28) and without it 67 mm (60–72) and 24 mm (22–29) with a significantly larger interquartile range (31 vs 12 mm) for hypothyroidism. According to Kendall's rank correlation analysis, gallbladder was enlarged in the older patients with a higher body mass index, and this statistically correlated with the advancement of stage and degree of arterial hypertension, cardiovascular risk, neutrophilic inflammationactivationandimmuneinflammation suppression, thinned renal parenchyma, increased echogenicity of the pancreas, and cardioselective aspartataminotransferase cytolysis. These connections can be based on the common spinal innervation of the heart and gallbladder, dysregulated beta 3-adrenoceptor activity and disturbed nitrite mediated vasorelaxation.