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Title: Complications of gallstone disease in kidney transplantation patients. Author: Sarkio S, Salmela K, Kyllönen L, Rosliakova M, Honkanen E, Halme L. Journal: Nephrol Dial Transplant; 2007 Mar; 22(3):886-90. PubMed ID: 17205965. Abstract: BACKGROUND: We studied the complications of gallstone disease in kidney transplantation patients and evaluated whether the screening and treatment of gallstones before acceptance to the kidney waiting list is relevant. METHODS: Complications of gallstone disease were evaluated in 1608 kidney transplantation patients on cyclosporine and long-term steroid treatment with median age 45.5 years, transplanted between 1990 and 2000. To evaluate the prevalence of cholecystolithiasis after kidney transplantation an abdominal ultrasound examination was cross-sectionally performed to a subgroup of 304 patients and the results were correlated to their serum lipid values, changes in BMI and use of statins. RESULTS: Pre-transplant cholecystectomy due to cholecystolithiasis (prerequisite for acceptance to kidney waiting list) had been performed on 71 (4%) of the patients. Thirty (15%) patients with diagnosed post-transplant gallstones and four without gallstones developed biliary complications. There were 25 cases of cholecystitis of which three resulted in gallbladder perforations. Seventeen patients (50%) with biliary complications required urgent surgery and one (3%) patient died of post-operative complications. In the subgroup of ultrasound examination patients (median 7 years post-transplant follow-up) 81% of the patients had no gallstones and 9% of the patients had gallstones had developed after transplantation. Patients with pre-transplant gallstones were older (P < 0.01) and patients with post-transplant gallstones gained the most weight during the follow-up. No differences in lipid values were found. CONCLUSION: In transplantation patients, the complications of gallstone disease may be severe. Screening and treatment of pre- and post-transplantation gallstone disease are recommended.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]