Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Gallstone disease is one of most common in the Europe with prevalence till 15%. The basic mechanism of stone formation is precipitation of cholesterol crystals in the supersaturated bile. The relationship between thyroid function and the content of cholesterol has been known for quite a long time, as well as the work confirming the relationship between hypothyroidism and cholelithiasis. Recently, in mice it has been shown that both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism promote the formation of gallstones, although in other mechanisms. Cholecystectomy, despite the changing range of indications for its implementation remains an important method of treatment of the consequences of cholelithiasis. That is why we would like to present our observation in which the starting point was cholecystectomy.

Aim: The aim of our study was the prospective observation of patient after cholecystectomy where the place of observation was an endocrinology outpatients clinic

Results: In years 2002–2008 in our hospital 1125 cholecystectomy was performed (1025 laparoscopic). In the same years, 127 (11%) of these patients were treated our endocrine outpatients clinics due to thyroid diseases. Among the patients treated for thyroid diseases, the most numerous were diagnosed as nontoxic goiter (E04=49%), followed by hyperthyroidism (E05=19%) and hypothyroidism (E03=17%)

Conclusion: Of course, our observation from one hospital has many limitations. It cannot be ruled out that the effect on the frequency of visits to the outpatients clinic had already existing contact with the health service and / or the requirements for the assessment of the thyroid status before the procedure set by surgeons.However, a fairly high incidence of thyroid problems in patients undergoing cholecystectomies prior to surgery and in the following years would speak for a link between thyroid diseases and cholelithiasis.