Biliary sludge: Pathogenesis, etiology and drug therapy

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for the treatment of biliary sludge (BS) and to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of the German substance UDCA and generic drugs from other manufacturers. Materials and methods. The study involved 65 patients diagnosed with BS (K80.8). To assess the severity of BS, ultrasound of the gallbladder was performed before treatment, after 1, 3, 6 months during therapy, as well as an assessment of its contractility. All patients were randomized into 2 groups. Patients of the main group received UDCA Ursofalk (Germany) at a dose of 10 mg/kg for at least 6 months. Patients in the comparison group received UDCA (another manufacturer) at a dose of 10 mg/kg for at least 6 months. Results. After 3 months of follow-up, the number of patients with dissolved sludge in the main group was 87.1%, while in the comparison group - 50%. In 71% of patients, the normalization of the lean volume of the gallbladder was noted, and in the comparison group only in 47.1%. After 6 months of follow-up, complete resolution of BS in the main group was observed in 93.5% of cases, and in the comparison group in 73.6% of cases. Conclusion. As a result of the study, the high effectiveness of Ursofalk during oral litolysis in patients with stage I GI (BS) in the first 3 months of therapy, as well as the normalization of the contractile function of the gallbladder, were noted.