Distinct lipid profile in haemolytic anaemia-related gallstones compared with the general gallstone

Ann Med. 2023 Dec;55(1):2203514. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2203514.

Abstract

Background: Pigment gallstones are not uncommon among patients with chronic haemolytic anaemia. But their clinical characteristics have not been described in detail and not been directly compared with the general gallstone population.

Methods: Patients at Peking Union Medical College Hospital with haemolytic anaemia and subsequent gallstones from January 2012 to December 2022 were included. Cases were matched (1:2) based on age, sex and location of stones to randomly select non-anaemia patients with gallstones (controls).

Results: Screening 899 cases of gallstones, we finally included 76 cases and 152 controls. Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) for cases were 3.02 ± 0.98 mmol/L, 0.89 ± 0.30 mmol/L and 1.58 ± 0.70 mmol/L, respectively, significantly lower than those in the control group (all p < 0.001). TC and HDL were both lower than the normal range, but triglyceride and LDL were within the normal range. Multiple stones were significantly more common for cases (n = 59, 78%) than for controls (n = 44, 29%, p < 0.001). The mean diameter of the maximal gallstone was 1.2 ± 0.6 cm and 1.5 ± 1.0 cm for cases and controls (p = 0.120), respectively. Stones in the elderly (p = 0.002 for univariate analysis, and 0.001 for multivariate analysis) and stones in the bile duct (p = 0.005 for univariate analysis, and 0.009 for multivariate analysis) were found to occur in a shorter period after anaemia.

Conclusion: The lipid profile of haemolytic anaemia with gallstones was distinct, low TC, low HDL, and increased-to-normal LDL, compared with the general gallstone population. Patients with haemolytic anaemia were recommended an abdominal ultrasound if aged older than 50 years, with more frequent follow-up visits.KEY MESSAGESClinical characteristics of gallstones following chronic haemolytic anaemia were described and compared with the general gallstone population.The lipid profiles were distinctly different between the patients with gallstones following chronic haemolytic anaemia and the general gallstone population.Elder patients were complicated with gallstones in a shorter period after anaemia and thus were recommended an abdominal ultrasound if aged older than 50 years, with more frequent follow-up visits.

Keywords: Gallstones; haemolytic anaemia; hypocholesterolemia; hypolipidaemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anemia, Hemolytic* / etiology
  • Gallstones* / complications
  • Gallstones* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Triglycerides

Substances

  • Triglycerides
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lipoproteins, LDL

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences [2021-I2M-1-013], National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding and Fundamental Research Funds [2022-PUMCH-A-074 and 2022-PUMCH-A-177], National Key Clinical Specialist Construction Project [ZK108000] and National Natural Science Foundation of China, Joint Fund Project [Integrated Project Grant No. U20A6001]. This funding source had no role in the study design or execution, analyses, interpretation of the data, or decision to submit results.