Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Gallbladder disease,defined as biliary sludge and stones, is a significant cause of maternal morbidity during pregnancy. Gallbladder disease has a higher incidence in women than in men and is particularly high in multigravida women. Pregnancy is considered to be one of the major risk factor for cholesterol cholelithiasis.
OBJECTIVE:
To estimate the prevalence and determinants of gallbladder diseases in women during pregnancy in Baghdad Teaching Hospital.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Cross sectional study was carried out on total 500 pregnant women attending Obstetrical and Gynecological outpatient clinic in Baghdad Teaching Hospital using a convenient sampling technique, during the period from 7th of January to 18th of April 2016. A designed questionnaire was prepared for this study and information was taken by direct interview with pregnant women. Ultrasound was done and women with cholecystectomy were excluded.
RESULTS:
Out of 500 pregnant studied the overall prevalence of gallbladder disease was 10.8%. older age (>35 years) (27.5%), higher parity (39.3%), advancing gestational age (third trimester 16.6%), previous use of contraceptive pills (29.9%), diabetic (30%) and a positive family history (90.9%) were factors significantly associated with gallbladder disease. Most of pregnant with gallbladder disease were asymptomatic (66.7%).
CONCLUSION:
There is a risk of GBD in pregnancy, mostly asymptomatic. This risk might be increased with advanced maternal age, increased parity and gestational age, OCP use, DM, previous history of GBD and positive family history.
KEYWORDS: Pregnancy, gallbladder diseases, cholelithiasis