Introduction: Cholelithiasis, or gallstone disease, is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder with a multifactorial etiology involving genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors. Recent studies suggest that Helicobacter pylori infection may play a role in gallstone formation by altering bile composition, impairing gallbladder motility, and inducing chronic inflammation.This study aimed to assess the association between H. pylori infection and symptomatic cholelithiasis by evaluating its presence in gastric mucosa, gallbladder mucosa, and bile specimens of patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Materials And Methods: This prospective analytical study was conducted at Kanti Devi Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Mathura, over two years. A total of 86 patients diagnosed with symptomatic cholelithiasis undergoing laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy were included. Gastric and gallbladder mucosal biopsies were obtained intraoperatively and tested using the rapid urease test (RUT). Bile samples were subjected to culture studies. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean age of patients was 45.95 ± 17.94 years, with 55.81 percent males and 44.18 percent females. H. pylori infection was detected in 48.83 percent of gastric mucosa, 43.03 percent of gallbladder mucosa (p = 0.02), and 36.05 percent of bile cultures (p = 0.01). A significant association was observed between H. pylori infection and symptoms like bloating, fullness, and early satiety. Conclusion: This study supports the association between H. pylori infection and symptomatic cholelithiasis. The presence of H. pylori in the gastric mucosa, gallbladder, and bile suggests its potential role in gallstone formation. Screening and eradication strategies for H. pylori may be considered for gallstone patients, warranting further research to evaluate causality and therapeutic implications.
Siddharth Verma (Tue,) studied this question.