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Meta-Analysis
. 2014 Jul;12(7):1090-1100.e2; quiz e61.
doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2013.11.031. Epub 2013 Dec 7.

Ursodeoxycholic acid and diets higher in fat prevent gallbladder stones during weight loss: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Caroline S Stokes  1 , Lise Lotte Gluud  2 , Markus Casper  1 , Frank Lammert  3
Affiliations
Free article
Meta-Analysis

Ursodeoxycholic acid and diets higher in fat prevent gallbladder stones during weight loss: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Caroline S Stokes et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Jul.
Free article

Abstract

Background & aims: The prevalence of gallstones is increasing in association with the obesity epidemic, but rapid weight loss also increases the risk of stone formation. We conducted a systematic review of the efficacy of strategies to prevent gallbladder stones in adults as they lose weight.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials of nonsurgical strategies to prevent gallstones were identified by electronic and manual searches. Our final analysis included 13 trials, comprising 1836 participants undergoing weight loss through dieting (8 trials) or bariatric surgery (5 trials). The trials compared ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or high-fat weight loss diets with control interventions. We performed random-effects meta-analyses and evaluated heterogeneity and bias with subgroup, sensitivity, regression, and sequential analysis.

Results: UDCA reduced the risk of ultrasound-verified gallstones compared with control interventions (risk ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.60; number needed to treat, 9). This effect was significantly larger in trials of diets alone (risk ratio, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.11-0.25) than in trials of patients who underwent bariatric surgery (risk ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.21-0.83) (test for subgroup differences, P =.03). UDCA reduced the risk of cholecystectomy for symptomatic stones (risk ratio, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.07-0.53). Diets high in fat content also reduced gallstones, compared with those with low fat content (risk ratio, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01-0.61). The meta-analyses were confirmed in trials with a low risk of bias but not in sequential analysis. No additional beneficial or harmful outcomes were identified.

Conclusions: On the basis of a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, during weight loss, UDCA and/or higher dietary fat content appear to prevent formation of gallstones.

Keywords: Bariatric Surgery; Cholelithiasis; Cholesterol; Obesity.

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Comment in

  • Risk factors for gallstone formation during weight loss.
    Festi D, Villanova N, Colecchia A. Festi D, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Mar;13(3):613. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2014.08.010. Epub 2014 Aug 19. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015. PMID: 25148763 No abstract available.
  • Reply: To PMID 24321208.
    Stokes CS, Lammert F. Stokes CS, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Mar;13(3):614. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2014.12.011. Epub 2014 Dec 11. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015. PMID: 25499990 No abstract available.

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