Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, ISSN - 0973 - 709X

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Dr Mohan Z Mani

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Believers Church Medical College,
Thiruvalla, Kerala
On Sep 2018




Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar

"Over the last few years, we have published our research regularly in Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. Having published in more than 20 high impact journals over the last five years including several high impact ones and reviewing articles for even more journals across my fields of interest, we value our published work in JCDR for their high standards in publishing scientific articles. The ease of submission, the rapid reviews in under a month, the high quality of their reviewers and keen attention to the final process of proofs and publication, ensure that there are no mistakes in the final article. We have been asked clarifications on several occasions and have been happy to provide them and it exemplifies the commitment to quality of the team at JCDR."



Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar
Head, Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad
Chairman, Research Group, Charutar Arogya Mandal, Karamsad
National Joint Coordinator - Advanced IAP NNF NRP Program
Ex-Member, Governing Body, National Neonatology Forum, New Delhi
Ex-President - National Neonatology Forum Gujarat State Chapter
Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat.
On Sep 2018




Dr. Kalyani R

"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research is at present a well-known Indian originated scientific journal which started with a humble beginning. I have been associated with this journal since many years. I appreciate the Editor, Dr. Hemant Jain, for his constant effort in bringing up this journal to the present status right from the scratch. The journal is multidisciplinary. It encourages in publishing the scientific articles from postgraduates and also the beginners who start their career. At the same time the journal also caters for the high quality articles from specialty and super-specialty researchers. Hence it provides a platform for the scientist and researchers to publish. The other aspect of it is, the readers get the information regarding the most recent developments in science which can be used for teaching, research, treating patients and to some extent take preventive measures against certain diseases. The journal is contributing immensely to the society at national and international level."



Dr Kalyani R
Professor and Head
Department of Pathology
Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College
Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research , Kolar, Karnataka
On Sep 2018




Dr. Saumya Navit

"As a peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research provides an opportunity to researchers, scientists and budding professionals to explore the developments in the field of medicine and dentistry and their varied specialities, thus extending our view on biological diversities of living species in relation to medicine.
‘Knowledge is treasure of a wise man.’ The free access of this journal provides an immense scope of learning for the both the old and the young in field of medicine and dentistry as well. The multidisciplinary nature of the journal makes it a better platform to absorb all that is being researched and developed. The publication process is systematic and professional. Online submission, publication and peer reviewing makes it a user-friendly journal.
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Dr Saumya Navit
Professor and Head
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Saraswati Dental College
Lucknow
On Sep 2018




Dr. Arunava Biswas

"My sincere attachment with JCDR as an author as well as reviewer is a learning experience . Their systematic approach in publication of article in various categories is really praiseworthy.
Their prompt and timely response to review's query and the manner in which they have set the reviewing process helps in extracting the best possible scientific writings for publication.
It's a honour and pride to be a part of the JCDR team. My very best wishes to JCDR and hope it will sparkle up above the sky as a high indexed journal in near future."



Dr. Arunava Biswas
MD, DM (Clinical Pharmacology)
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology
Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital , Kolkata




Dr. C.S. Ramesh Babu
" Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) is a multi-specialty medical and dental journal publishing high quality research articles in almost all branches of medicine. The quality of printing of figures and tables is excellent and comparable to any International journal. An added advantage is nominal publication charges and monthly issue of the journal and more chances of an article being accepted for publication. Moreover being a multi-specialty journal an article concerning a particular specialty has a wider reach of readers of other related specialties also. As an author and reviewer for several years I find this Journal most suitable and highly recommend this Journal."
Best regards,
C.S. Ramesh Babu,
Associate Professor of Anatomy,
Muzaffarnagar Medical College,
Muzaffarnagar.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Arundhathi. S
"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) is a reputed peer reviewed journal and is constantly involved in publishing high quality research articles related to medicine. Its been a great pleasure to be associated with this esteemed journal as a reviewer and as an author for a couple of years. The editorial board consists of many dedicated and reputed experts as its members and they are doing an appreciable work in guiding budding researchers. JCDR is doing a commendable job in scientific research by promoting excellent quality research & review articles and case reports & series. The reviewers provide appropriate suggestions that improve the quality of articles. I strongly recommend my fraternity to encourage JCDR by contributing their valuable research work in this widely accepted, user friendly journal. I hope my collaboration with JCDR will continue for a long time".



Dr. Arundhathi. S
MBBS, MD (Pathology),
Sanjay Gandhi institute of trauma and orthopedics,
Bengaluru.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Mamta Gupta,
"It gives me great pleasure to be associated with JCDR, since last 2-3 years. Since then I have authored, co-authored and reviewed about 25 articles in JCDR. I thank JCDR for giving me an opportunity to improve my own skills as an author and a reviewer.
It 's a multispecialty journal, publishing high quality articles. It gives a platform to the authors to publish their research work which can be available for everyone across the globe to read. The best thing about JCDR is that the full articles of all medical specialties are available as pdf/html for reading free of cost or without institutional subscription, which is not there for other journals. For those who have problem in writing manuscript or do statistical work, JCDR comes for their rescue.
The journal has a monthly publication and the articles are published quite fast. In time compared to other journals. The on-line first publication is also a great advantage and facility to review one's own articles before going to print. The response to any query and permission if required, is quite fast; this is quite commendable. I have a very good experience about seeking quick permission for quoting a photograph (Fig.) from a JCDR article for my chapter authored in an E book. I never thought it would be so easy. No hassles.
Reviewing articles is no less a pain staking process and requires in depth perception, knowledge about the topic for review. It requires time and concentration, yet I enjoy doing it. The JCDR website especially for the reviewers is quite user friendly. My suggestions for improving the journal is, more strict review process, so that only high quality articles are published. I find a a good number of articles in Obst. Gynae, hence, a new journal for this specialty titled JCDR-OG can be started. May be a bimonthly or quarterly publication to begin with. Only selected articles should find a place in it.
An yearly reward for the best article authored can also incentivize the authors. Though the process of finding the best article will be not be very easy. I do not know how reviewing process can be improved. If an article is being reviewed by two reviewers, then opinion of one can be communicated to the other or the final opinion of the editor can be communicated to the reviewer if requested for. This will help one’s reviewing skills.
My best wishes to Dr. Hemant Jain and all the editorial staff of JCDR for their untiring efforts to bring out this journal. I strongly recommend medical fraternity to publish their valuable research work in this esteemed journal, JCDR".



Dr. Mamta Gupta
Consultant
(Ex HOD Obs &Gynae, Hindu Rao Hospital and associated NDMC Medical College, Delhi)
Aug 2018




Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey

"I wish to thank Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), for asking me to write up few words.
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium i e; into the words and sentences on paper. Quality medical manuscript writing in particular, demands not only a high-quality research, but also requires accurate and concise communication of findings and conclusions, with adherence to particular journal guidelines. In medical field whether working in teaching, private, or in corporate institution, everyone wants to excel in his / her own field and get recognised by making manuscripts publication.


Authors are the souls of any journal, and deserve much respect. To publish a journal manuscripts are needed from authors. Authors have a great responsibility for producing facts of their work in terms of number and results truthfully and an individual honesty is expected from authors in this regards. Both ways its true "No authors-No manuscripts-No journals" and "No journals–No manuscripts–No authors". Reviewing a manuscript is also a very responsible and important task of any peer-reviewed journal and to be taken seriously. It needs knowledge on the subject, sincerity, honesty and determination. Although the process of reviewing a manuscript is a time consuming task butit is expected to give one's best remarks within the time frame of the journal.
Salient features of the JCDR: It is a biomedical, multidisciplinary (including all medical and dental specialities), e-journal, with wide scope and extensive author support. At the same time, a free text of manuscript is available in HTML and PDF format. There is fast growing authorship and readership with JCDR as this can be judged by the number of articles published in it i e; in Feb 2007 of its first issue, it contained 5 articles only, and now in its recent volume published in April 2011, it contained 67 manuscripts. This e-journal is fulfilling the commitments and objectives sincerely, (as stated by Editor-in-chief in his preface to first edition) i e; to encourage physicians through the internet, especially from the developing countries who witness a spectrum of disease and acquire a wealth of knowledge to publish their experiences to benefit the medical community in patients care. I also feel that many of us have work of substance, newer ideas, adequate clinical materials but poor in medical writing and hesitation to submit the work and need help. JCDR provides authors help in this regards.
Timely publication of journal: Publication of manuscripts and bringing out the issue in time is one of the positive aspects of JCDR and is possible with strong support team in terms of peer reviewers, proof reading, language check, computer operators, etc. This is one of the great reasons for authors to submit their work with JCDR. Another best part of JCDR is "Online first Publications" facilities available for the authors. This facility not only provides the prompt publications of the manuscripts but at the same time also early availability of the manuscripts for the readers.
Indexation and online availability: Indexation transforms the journal in some sense from its local ownership to the worldwide professional community and to the public.JCDR is indexed with Embase & EMbiology, Google Scholar, Index Copernicus, Chemical Abstracts Service, Journal seek Database, Indian Science Abstracts, to name few of them. Manuscriptspublished in JCDR are available on major search engines ie; google, yahoo, msn.
In the era of fast growing newer technologies, and in computer and internet friendly environment the manuscripts preparation, submission, review, revision, etc and all can be done and checked with a click from all corer of the world, at any time. Of course there is always a scope for improvement in every field and none is perfect. To progress, one needs to identify the areas of one's weakness and to strengthen them.
It is well said that "happy beginning is half done" and it fits perfectly with JCDR. It has grown considerably and I feel it has already grown up from its infancy to adolescence, achieving the status of standard online e-journal form Indian continent since its inception in Feb 2007. This had been made possible due to the efforts and the hard work put in it. The way the JCDR is improving with every new volume, with good quality original manuscripts, makes it a quality journal for readers. I must thank and congratulate Dr Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief JCDR and his team for their sincere efforts, dedication, and determination for making JCDR a fast growing journal.
Every one of us: authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher are responsible for enhancing the stature of the journal. I wish for a great success for JCDR."



Thanking you
With sincere regards
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey, M.S., M. Ch., FAIS
Associate Professor,
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College & Associated
Kamla Nehru & Hamidia Hospitals Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 001 (India)
E-mail: drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com
On May 11,2011




Dr. Shankar P.R.

"On looking back through my Gmail archives after being requested by the journal to write a short editorial about my experiences of publishing with the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), I came across an e-mail from Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor, in March 2007, which introduced the new electronic journal. The main features of the journal which were outlined in the e-mail were extensive author support, cash rewards, the peer review process, and other salient features of the journal.
Over a span of over four years, we (I and my colleagues) have published around 25 articles in the journal. In this editorial, I plan to briefly discuss my experiences of publishing with JCDR and the strengths of the journal and to finally address the areas for improvement.
My experiences of publishing with JCDR: Overall, my experiences of publishing withJCDR have been positive. The best point about the journal is that it responds to queries from the author. This may seem to be simple and not too much to ask for, but unfortunately, many journals in the subcontinent and from many developing countries do not respond or they respond with a long delay to the queries from the authors 1. The reasons could be many, including lack of optimal secretarial and other support. Another problem with many journals is the slowness of the review process. Editorial processing and peer review can take anywhere between a year to two years with some journals. Also, some journals do not keep the contributors informed about the progress of the review process. Due to the long review process, the articles can lose their relevance and topicality. A major benefit with JCDR is the timeliness and promptness of its response. In Dr Jain's e-mail which was sent to me in 2007, before the introduction of the Pre-publishing system, he had stated that he had received my submission and that he would get back to me within seven days and he did!
Most of the manuscripts are published within 3 to 4 months of their submission if they are found to be suitable after the review process. JCDR is published bimonthly and the accepted articles were usually published in the next issue. Recently, due to the increased volume of the submissions, the review process has become slower and it ?? Section can take from 4 to 6 months for the articles to be reviewed. The journal has an extensive author support system and it has recently introduced a paid expedited review process. The journal also mentions the average time for processing the manuscript under different submission systems - regular submission and expedited review.
Strengths of the journal: The journal has an online first facility in which the accepted manuscripts may be published on the website before being included in a regular issue of the journal. This cuts down the time between their acceptance and the publication. The journal is indexed in many databases, though not in PubMed. The editorial board should now take steps to index the journal in PubMed. The journal has a system of notifying readers through e-mail when a new issue is released. Also, the articles are available in both the HTML and the PDF formats. I especially like the new and colorful page format of the journal. Also, the access statistics of the articles are available. The prepublication and the manuscript tracking system are also helpful for the authors.
Areas for improvement: In certain cases, I felt that the peer review process of the manuscripts was not up to international standards and that it should be strengthened. Also, the number of manuscripts in an issue is high and it may be difficult for readers to go through all of them. The journal can consider tightening of the peer review process and increasing the quality standards for the acceptance of the manuscripts. I faced occasional problems with the online manuscript submission (Pre-publishing) system, which have to be addressed.
Overall, the publishing process with JCDR has been smooth, quick and relatively hassle free and I can recommend other authors to consider the journal as an outlet for their work."



Dr. P. Ravi Shankar
KIST Medical College, P.O. Box 14142, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
On April 2011
Anuradha

Dear team JCDR, I would like to thank you for the very professional and polite service provided by everyone at JCDR. While i have been in the field of writing and editing for sometime, this has been my first attempt in publishing a scientific paper.Thank you for hand-holding me through the process.


Dr. Anuradha
E-mail: anuradha2nittur@gmail.com
On Jan 2020

Important Notice

Original article / research
Year : 2012 | Month : May | Volume : 6 | Issue : 3 | Page : 364 - 368 Full Version

Risk Factors and the Biochemical Evaluation of Biliary Calculi in Rural Kolar, Karnataka, India: A Rural Perspective of an Urban Disease


Published: May 1, 2012 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1907
Shashidhar K. Nagaraj, Prasad Paul, Mohan K. Kumar, Shankar Muninarayanappa, Hemalatha Anantharamaiah

1. Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery 3. Professor, Department of Surgery 4. Professor, Department of Surgery 5. Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College,Tamaka, Kolar

Correspondence Address :
Dr. Shashidhar K.Nagaraj
Associate Professor,
Department of Biochemistry
Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Tamaka, Kolar
Phone: 09845248742
E-mail: drshashikn1971@yahoo.co.in; drhemashashi@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective:
To estimate the biochemical parameters which are responsible for the causation of biliary calculi, with risk factor correlation in Kolar district, Karnataka.
Materials and Methods:
Clinically diagnosed and postoperatively collected gall stones were analyzed to find their chemical composition, such as cholesterol, triglycerides and bilirubin and to evaluate the risk factors which were responsible for the causation of biliary calculi. Out of 4256 surgical admissions in our institute, gall stones were removed from fifty patients who presented with acute abdomen, who were confirmed to have calculus cholecystitis on sonography and these were selected for this study. A detailed history was taken from the patients to analyze the risk factors. The stones were analyzed for their composition; the serum of the patients was collected for analysis of fasting lipid and other serum parameters. Statistical analysis was done by using the SPSS package to find out the descriptive parameters.
Results:
The highest incidence was seen in patients in the age group of 41-50 years. The female to male ratio was 2.57:1. Among the risk factors, hyperlipidaemia was observed in 64% of the cases, 40% had a sedentary life style, 30% had a history of high fatty diet intake and 12% were on OCPÂ’s. The biochemical analysis of the stones showed 68% patients to have mixed stones, with bilirubin being the major constituent of these stones. Bile culture was positive in 68% of the patients, with E.coli being the most common type of organism observed. Chronic cholecystitis was the most common histopathological finding.
Conclusion:
Only few studies have been done, which have considered the clinical, epidemiological and the biochemical analysis of gall stone in the south Indian urban population. This study adds to the knowledge of the gall stone risk factors in the rural parts of south India. However, more studies with respect to the pathogenesis of gall stones with more number of patients has to be done, to further conclude the gall stone analysis and the risk factors.

Keywords

Cholelithiasis, Gall stone biochemical analysis, Serum lipid profile, Bile culture

INTRODUCTION
Gall stones disease (GD) is a very common gastro-intestinal disorder which is present commonly in the western world(1),(2). Mixed and pigment stones are common in northern India (3). Epidemiological studies have shown that demographic characteristics and social customs did not contribute to the pigment gall stone formation(4). Studies from northern India have looked into the dietary factors which predispose to cholesterol gall stones (5), while such information is not available from southern India. Although this disease has a low mortality rate, its economic and health impact is significant due to its high morbidity (6). The major elements which are involved in the formation of gall stones are cholesterol, bile pigments, calcium, hepatic bile composition, biliary glycoprotein, infection, age, sex, genetics, oestrogen, dietary factors, geographical prevalence, and cirrhosis of the liver (7). Now -a -days, the prevalence of gall stones is highly seen in south India, especially in the rural population. Most of the gall stone patients are asymptomatic and thus the present study describes an extensive outlook into the biochemical analysis of the stones, their incidence, age and sex distribution, the risk factors, the type of stones, the lipid profile, their histopathological diagnosis and bile culture.

Material and Methods

This study was conducted at RL Jalappa hospital and research centre a tertiary care rural hospital between October 2007 and April 2009. This is a prospective study which was done on biliary calculi that were removed either laproscopically or by open surgery. Out of 4256 surgical admissions in our hospital, 50 patients were included in this study. The patients were in the age group of 10 to 80 years, of both sexes, who presented with acute abdomen, with a high degree of suspicion of biliary calculi. The confirmation of cholelithiasis and its complications was done by ultrasonography. Patients with intra-hepatic calculi and patients who were not undergoing either open or laproscopic cholecystectomy with or without choledocolithotomy, were excluded from this study. A detailed history was elicited, with particular attention to the hepatobiliary system, to assess the various risk factors. Each patient was examined physically to assess the general condition and the vital data was recorded. Per abdominal examination was done according to the standard protocol and the findings were documented. Based on the severity of the signs and symptoms and the USG reports, the treatment modality was decided. Patients who presented with acute pain abdomen, guarding, rigidity and obstructive symptoms with cholelithiasis were managed with intravenous fluids; nil by mouth and Ryle’s tube aspiration. After taking the patients’ consent, they were taken up for surgery. The institutional ethical committee approval was taken. The gall stones were sent for biochemical analysis and the bile was sent for culture and sensitivity. The pattern of presentation of the biliary duct calculi, the various risk factors which were involved in their formation and the biochemical constituents of these calculi were studied with interest. The type of stone which was formed was correlated with the serum biochemical profile of the patient. The data was analyzed by using the SPSS package. The stones were powdered by using a mortar and pestle and were dissolved in various solvents, depending upon the various chemical constituents which had to be analyzed. Thirty milligrams of stone powder was dissolved in 3 ml of chloroform in a test tube. The test tube was kept in boiling water for 2 minutes and the solution was used to determine total cholesterol and total bilirubin. Thirty milligrams of stone powder was dissolved in 3 ml of 1 NHCL in a graduated 10 ml test tube and its final volume was made up to 10 ml with distilled water. The test tube was kept in boiling water for 1 hour and the solution was used to determine total triglycerides. The stone content of the triglycerides and total cholesterol was determined by an enzymic colorimetric method of Bayer’s Diagnostics India. The total bilirubin levels were estimated by using the commercial kit method of Bayer’s Diagnostics India, based on bichromatic methods. The fasting serum lipid profile estimation was done. Total cholesterol was estimated by using CHOD-PAP, triglycerides were estimated by GPO-PAP, HDLc was estimated by HDL-C plus second generation, HDL Cholesterol, no pretreatment using Roche-Hitachi autoanalyser kits. LDL-C was calculated by using Friedwald’s formula after taking into consideration its limitation, LDLc = TC- {HDLc + (TG/5)}. VLDL was calculated by TG/5. The liver function tests were done using serum. Total bilirubin was assessed by the Diphylline method, unconjugated bilirubin by direct measure, conjugated bilirubin by a spectrophotometric method, total protein by Biuret’s end point, albumin by the Bromocresol green method, AST by an enzymatic colorimetric method (IFCC2002), ALT by UV with p5p (IFCC 2002) and ALP by PNPP. AMP buffer and GGT were estimated by the G – glutamyl – p – nitro anilide (IFCC 2002) method.

Results

During the period from October 2007 to April 2009, the total number of surgical admissions in R. L. Jalappa hospital, Tamaka, Kolar, South India was 4256, of which 50 patients presented with symptomatic biliary calculi. Therefore, the incidence of symptomatic biliary calculi with respect to surgical admissions in this series was 11.75 per 1000. The youngest patient was 20 years old and the oldest patient was 80 years old. The mean age was 45.88 ± 14.83. The bulk of the disease presented in the age group of 41-50 years. Females outnumbered males in the ratio of 2.57:1. Biliary calculi can present themselves in young age groups to the centenarian groups. Cholelithiasis had a peak incidence in the middle age group of 41–50 years. No age group was exempted from the disease process.Chronic cholecystitis was found histopathologically in 35 (70%) cases. One case had adenomatous hyperplasia. Acute and chronic changes were seen in 5 cases. Acute cholelithiasis was observed in 7 patients, of which one patient had empyema. Two patients with empyematous cholelithiasis had gangrenous changes intraoperatively, as well as histopathologically. The histopathological findings showed 70% (n=35) patients to be having chronic cholecystitis. Post-operatively, the biochemical analysis of the biliary calculi was done in all the 50 cases to estimate cholesterol and bilirubin. The incidence and the findings are given in (Table/Fig 1).Mixed stones were observed in 56% (n=28) of the cases. Pigment stones were present in 72% (n=36) of the cases, out of which one case showed primary bile duct stone, while pure cholesterol stones were found in 8% of the cases. The cholesterol stones were not associated with any major complications which were often noticed with cholelithiasis, such as choledocolithiasis, acute appendicitis, acute pancreatitis or empyematous cholelithiasis, but the cholesterol stones were seen in 64% (n=32). A high intake of a fatty diet (FD), a sedentary life style (SLS), hyperlipidaemia (HL) and the intake of OCPs were considered as the risk factors in our study. Thirty percent of the patients had a history of the intake of a fatty diet. Forty percent of the cases led sedentary life styles. Hyperlipidaemia was present in 64% of the cases. Twelve percent of the cases had history of OCP intake. Among 15 patients who had history of the intake of fatty diet, the post-operative analysis of the calculi revealed 12 mixed stones, 2 pigment stones and one pure cholesterol stone. Of the 20 cases who had led sedentary lifestyles, 9 had mixed stones and one had a pure cholesterol stone. In hyperlipidaemic patients, the stone analysis revealed 2 patients with mixed stones and 7 with pigment stones. Four patients with hyperlipidaemia had pure cholesterol stones. Among six patients with the intake of OCPs, 3 had mixed stones, one had a pigment stone and 2 had pure cholesterol stones. Among the 50 patients who were included in this study, 10 did not had any risk factors. Considering the individual risk factors such as high intake of fatty diet, sedentary life style and hyperlipidaemia, three cases each with history of intake of fatty diet and OCPs and five with hyperlipidaemias respectively, were observed to have mixed stones on biochemical analysis. One patient with hyperlipidaemia and another with history of OCP intake had pigment stones. Cholesterol stones were present in one hyperlipidaemic patient. On considering the multiple risk factors, one patient was found to have history of the intake of fatty diet with sedentary life style and the analysis revealed a mixed stone. Among eight hyperlipidaemic patients with sedentary life styles, 4 had mixed stones and four had pigment stones. Two hyperlipidaemic patients with history of the intake of OCPs had pure cholesterol stones. Among four hyperlipidaemic patients with history of intake of fatty diet and sedentary life style, one had mixed stone, 2 had pigment stones, and one had a pure cholesterol stone. Among the remaining 10 patients with none of the risk factors, 6 patients had mixed stones, while 4 had pigment stones.
Serum Lipid Profile
Among the 50 patients, 36 had altered fasting lipid profile, of which 32 had hyperlipidaemia (HL) with elevated total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) with low HDL (Table/Fig 2). Twenty one among them had mixed stones (MS), 7 had pigment stones (PS), and 4 had pure cholesterol stones (CS). The other 4 patients had low HDL levels, of which 3 had mixed stones and 1 had a pigment stone. Among the 14 patients with normal lipid profile, 10 had mixed variety and 4 had pigment stones (Table/Fig 3).
Serum Bilirubin
Among the 50 patients, 9 had icterus with raised serum bilirubin, out of which 6 had pigment stones and 3 had mixed stones. In patients without jaundice, 31 had mixed stones, 6 had pigment stones, and 4 had cholesterol stones. In our study, we observed a significant reduction in the serum total protein and albumin and a marginal elevation of the liver enzymes such as AST, ALT, ALP and GGT. Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin were also marginally elevated in 9 patients (Table/Fig 4).
Bile Culture
Bile culture versus the type of stones showed that n=34 (68%) had a positive culture and that among them, n = 17 (38%) had mixed stones. Pigment stones (n = 12, 75%) showed positive culture and cholesterol stones were observed in 4 patients, but they did not show positive culture. Micro organisms which were observed in the culture were E.coli (56%), Klebsiella (28%), Enterococcus (12%) and others (4%).

Discussion

Several studies have been done on the gall stone status worldwide, till date. Indian studies showed that the incidence of gall stones was more in northern India as compared to that in southern India. This study was done in a rural part of south India. Many significant findings were observed in our study. The mean age of presentation was 36.71 ± 11.10 in males and 49.44 ± 14.68 in females. In a Brazilian series study, the age at presentation was 60.2 years (8). The youngest patient in our study was 20 years old, while the oldest was 80 years old. Our study showed a female preponderance with 72% females and 28% males, with a ratio of 2.57:1. Our study correlated with the studies conducted by Bockus et al (9). Cholelithiasis can present from the young age to the centenarian. In our study, cholelithiasis had a peak incidence in the age group of 41-50 years, but no age group was found to be exempted from the disease process. We observed a lower age limit of 20 years as compared to the findings of the Brazilian series (8). Studies have shown that pain was the most common presenting symptom, as was universally evidenced; we also observed the same symptoms. This pain was either due to the luminal obstruction from an impacted stone, which was characteristically colicky or from an inflammation, which was a burning type of pain (10), (11), (12). All the 50 cases in our study underwent surgery. Ninety percent of the cases underwent cholecystectomy alone, 8% were treated by cholecystectomy, with common bile duct exploration and T-tube drainage and 2% by cholecystectomy and appendicectomy. Studies conducted by Gosh SK (13) et al., and Wani (14) et al., reported tenderness in the right hypochondriac region as the most common sign. Even in our study, this finding was consistent, 4 out of 5 patients had tenderness in the right hypochondriac region. Histopathological studies showed that among 70% of the patients who were suffering from cholecystitis, 14% had histopathologically diagnosed with acute cholecystitis, 10% had acute to chronic cholecystitis, 4% had gangrenous cholecystitis and only 2% had adenomatous hyperplasia. Biochemical analysis of the stones showed that n=34 (68%) of the cases had mixed stones, n=12 (24%) had pigmented stones and only n=4 (8%) had cholesterol stones. None of the cholesterol stones were associated with complications. Among 68% of the cases with mixed stones, in about 38%, bilirubin was the major constituent and cholesterol in 30% of the cases. Compared to the findings of the studies conducted by Pundir C S et al (15) and Basal S K (16) et al, we observed a high incidence of mixed stones.A high intake of fatty diet (FD), sedentary life style (SLS), hyperlipidaemia (HL) and intake of oral contraceptives (OCP) were considered as the risk factors in our study. We observed that 30% had history of the intake of fatty diet, 40% followed sedentary life styles, hyperlidaemia was present in 64% of the cases and 12% had a history of the intake of OCP. Among 15 patients who had history of the intake of a fatty diet, the post operative biochemical analysis of the biliary calculi revealed 12 mixed stones, 2 pigment stones and 1 pure cholesterol stone. Of the 20 cases which had sedentary life styles, 13 had mixed stones, 6 had pigment stones and 1 had pure cholesterol stone. In hyperlipidaemic patients, the analysis revealed 21 cases with mixed stones and 7 with pigment stones. Four had pure cholesterol stones. Our study had 6 patients with a history of OCP intake and in them, 3 had mixed stones, 1 had a pigment stone and 2 were observed to be having pure cholesterol stones. Among the 50 patients who were included in our study, 10 patients did not had any of the risk factors. Among patients with multiple risk factors versus the type of stones, n=12 (24%) had both sedentary life style (SLS) and hyperlipidemia (HL), 8 of these people had mixed stones (MS), 4 had pigment stones (PS), n=7 (14%) had 3 risk factors namely fatty diet (FD), SLS and HL, 4 of these people had mixed stones, 2 had pigment stones and 1 had cholesterol stones (CS). Four patients (n=4) had 2 risk factors, namely FD and HL and all 4 had mixed stones. A similar observation was seen in the study done by Jayanthi V et al (4). The fasting serum lipid profile was estimated in all the 50 patients. n=36 had an altered lipid profile and n=32 (64%) had increased TG and low HDL (n=21) levels. In these patients, n=21 had mixed stones, n=7 had pigmented stones and n=4 had cholesterol stones. Fourteen patients (28%) had a normal fasting lipid profile, in them; n=10 had mixed stones and n=4 had pigment stones. In this regard, our study correlated with the study conducted by Jorgensen T series (17) and Thijs C (18). In all the 50 patients (n=50, 100%) serum bilirubin versus the type of stone was studied. Forty one (82%) cases with normal bilirubin levels had 31 with mixed stones, 6 had pigment stones and 4 patients had cholesterol stones. Hyperbilirubinaemia was observed in 9 patients (18%) and among them, 6 had pigment stones and 3 had mixed stones. This clearly showed that a higher incidence of mixed stones was seen in patients with normal bilirubin and that pigment stones were seen in patients with hyperbilirubinaemia. The bile culture versus the type of stones showed that n = 34 (68%) had a positive culture and that among them, n = 17 (38%) had mixed stones. Pigment stones (n = 12, 75%) showed a positive culture and cholesterol stones were observed in 4 patients but they did not show a positive culture. Micro organisms which were observed in the culture were E.coli (56%), Klebsiella (28%), Enterococcus (12%) and others (4%). The number of the E. coli positive cases were twice as seen in the study by Stewart et al., who observed E. coli in 27% and Klebsiella in 20% of cases (19). Thus, we conclude this study with the following findings. The highest age group of the presentation of cholelithiasis was 41 to 50 years, the incidence in females being more common than males. All the patients presented with pain in abdomen and majority of them had tenderness in the right hypochondria. Chronic cholecystitis was the most common mode of presentation and palpable gall bladder was not always malignant; ultra sonogram is the most common imaging modality of choice. Chronic cholecystitis was the most common histopathological diagnosis. Mixed stones were predominant, with high bilirubin content. Life style modification is very much essential in reducing the gall bladder disease, the type of stone correlated with the serum biochemical profile. Majority of the patients had a concomitant positive bile culture, with E. coli being the most common organism cultured. Further studies with a large number of cases need to be done, to know the other risk factors which cause cholelithiasis, especially in the rural population.

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DOI and Others

DOI: JCDR/3553:1907

Financial OR OTHER COMPETING INTERESTS:
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Date of Submission: Sep 24, 2011
Date of peer review: Nov 03, 2011
Date of acceptance: Dec 22, 2011
Date of Publishing: May 01, 2012

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