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Apolipoprotein E genotype and the risk of gallbladder disease in pregnancy
Author(s) -
Ko Cynthia W.,
Beresford Shirley A.A.,
Alderman Beth,
Jarvik Gail P.,
Schulte Scott J.,
Calhoun Byron,
Tsuchida Amy M.,
Koepsell Thomas D.,
Lee Sum P.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.510310105
Subject(s) - gallstones , gallbladder , medicine , gallbladder disease , pregnancy , odds ratio , body mass index , gastroenterology , cholecystectomy , obstetrics , gynecology , biology , genetics
The E4 allele of apolipoprotein E (apoE4) has previously been associated with symptomatic gallstone disease. The aim of this study was to determine if apoE4 is associated with the development of gallbladder sludge and/or stones during pregnancy. We conducted a nested case‐control study based on an ongoing cohort study of gallbladder disease in pregnancy. Women in this study receive gallbladder ultrasounds in each trimester of pregnancy. Cases (n = 52) were defined as women with incident gallbladder sludge or stones diagnosed at the third trimester ultrasound. Controls (n = 104) were defined as women without gallbladder sludge or stones on any of 3 study ultrasounds. ApoE genotyping was performed from stored white blood cell pellets. Data were analyzed by stratified analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Cases and controls were similar in baseline characteristics. Forty‐two women had sludge, 6 had gallstones, and 4 had both sludge and stones. After adjusting for risk factors such as age, parity, and body mass index, the odds ratio (OR) for the association between heterozygosity or homozygosity for the apoE4 allele and incident gallbladder sludge or stones was 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41‐2.02). Further adjustment for family medical history and serum lipid levels did not substantially change these results (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.29‐1.82). In conclusion, apoE4 appears to have little or no overall association with the development of new gallbladder sludge or stones in pregnancy. However, an effect could not be ruled out in certain subgroups, such as blacks or women who are homozygous for apoE4.