Abstract
Background: Acute viral hepatitis is frequently associated with gallbladder abnormalities that may influence clinical management. This study assessed the prevalence of ultrasonographic gallbladder changes and their association with hepatitis serotypes and jaundice.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals, Swat, Pakistan, from January 2025 to November 2025. A total of 110 patients with serologically confirmed acute hepatitis A, B, or C were selected through systematic random sampling. Clinical data and abdominal ultrasound findings were recorded. Gallbladder abnormalities included wall thickening, sludge, gallstones, pericholecystic fluid, and cholecystitis. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, applying Chi-square tests for associations.
Results: The mean age of participants was 35.4 ± 12.7 years, with a nearly equal gender distribution. Hepatitis A was the most common infection (60.9%), followed by hepatitis B (28.2%) and C (10.9%). Jaundice was present in 63.6% of patients. Gallbladder abnormalities were frequent, including gallstones (36.4%), cholecystitis (31.8%), bile duct obstruction (30.9%), wall thickening (20.0%), sludge (19.1%), and pericholecystic fluid (4.5%). Hepatitis A showed a significant association with gallbladder sludge (p=0.041). Jaundice was significantly associated with gallbladder wall thickening (p=0.047), while gallstones were more common in non-jaundiced patients (p=0.025).
Conclusion: Gallbladder abnormalities are common in acute viral hepatitis. Hepatitis A is significantly associated with biliary sludge, and jaundice correlates with inflammatory gallbladder wall thickening. Gallstones appear to be incidental findings rather than hepatitis-related. Routine ultrasonography is recommended for comprehensive evaluation.