The Relationship Between Ursodeoxycholic Acid (Ursobil) Administration and the Prevention of Gallstone Formation After Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Background: Bariatric surgeries are accompanied by problems such as gallstone formation following the rapid weight loss after the surgery. This retrospective cohort research intended to study the relationship between Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) administration and prevention of gallstone formation after three types of bariatric surgery. Methods: In this cohort study, 444 patients who underwent bariatric surgery in Al-Zahra and Sina Hospitals between March 2019 and August 2020 were divided into group A (UDCA-treated patients) and group B (untreated patients). The patients followed up six months after the surgery through gallbladder ultrasonography. In addition, Body mass index (BMI) values were recorded before and after the surgery. Data analysis was done using Chi-square and Poisson regression tests. Findings: Half of the 444 patients (50) received UDCA. The follow-up ultrasound showed that gallstones had formed in sixteen (7.2) of the patients in group A and 45 (20.27) in group B. There was an indirect relationship between the rapid decline of BMI and the formation of gallstones following bariatric surgery. Conclusion: According to findings from this research, the patients who received a prophylactic dose of UDCA post-bariatric surgery in various doses showed lower gallstone formation than those who didn’t receive UDCA medication. © 2024 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.