Background: The incidence of gallstones increases with age but the factors that influence gallstone formation in the elderly are poorly understood. Proposed factors include changes in bile composition and hypomotility of the gall bladder. Studies on gall bladder motility in the elderly have provided conflicting results, and none has been reported from India.
Aim: To determine gall bladder contractility in healthy elderly subjects and compare it with that in young healthy volunteers.
Methods: Thirty healthy elderly (above the age of 60 years) and 30 young volunteers with no abdominal complaints were studied. Using real-time ultrasonography and the ellipsoid method, gall bladder volume was measured after overnight fast and at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes after a standard fatty meal. Residual volume, delta volume and ejection fraction were calculated.
Results: Mean fasting gall bladder volume in elderly subjects was higher than that in young subjects (13.5 [5.8] mL vs 10.9 [3.6] mL; p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in the 60-min postprandial residual gall bladder volumes in the two groups. Change in gall bladder volume and ejection fraction were also similar in the two groups.
Conclusion: There was no difference in gall bladder emptying between elderly and young subjects though the fasting gall bladder volume was higher in the elderly.