ABNORMAL GALLBLADDER FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH IRRITABLE-BOWEL-SYNDROME

Abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system function and cholecystok inin release have been described in patients with irritable bowel synd rome. Because the autonomic nervous system and cholecystokinin have an important role in the normal functioning of the gallbladder, we studi ed gallbladder contraction in response to a meal, using real time ultr asonography in irritable bowel syndrome patients (n = 20) and healthy controls (n =: 15). The following parameters were studied: 1) fasting gallbladder volume, 2) residual volume after maximal contraction and a t the end of 2 h, 3) maximum percent of gallbladder emptied, and 4) th e time taken for maximal contraction. Fasting gallbladder volume (26.2 1 +/- 1.81 ml vs. 15.21 +/- 1.63 ml, p < 0.001), and residual volume a fter maximal contraction (14.2 +/- 1.69 ml vs. 5.86 +/- 0.98 ml, p < 0 .001) and at the end of 2 h (18.81 +/- 1.73 ml vs. 11.65 +/- 1.45 ml, p < 0.01) were significantly higher in the patient group, compared wit h controls. The maximum emptying was less (49.55 +/- 2.75% vs. 63.98 /- 4.55%, p < 0.01) and the time taken for maximal contraction (59.25 +/- 3.8 min vs. 42.33 +/- 2.04 min, p < 0.001) was longer in the patie nt group than in the controls. Based on these observations, we conclud e that patients with irritable bowel syndrome have significant abnorma lities of gallbladder motor function.