Background and study aims: Association of ulcerative colitis (UC) with hepatobiliary disorders is well
recognised. The most common hepatobiliary complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are fatty
liver infiltration and cholelithiasis. The prevalence of liver dysfunction in IBD remains unclear. The aim of
the study is to try to identify the frequency and risk factors of hepatobiliary disorders among patients
with UC in Upper Egypt.
Patients and methods: We prospectively analysed 33 patients with newly diagnosed UC of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Assiut University Hospital. For all participants, the following
were conducted: clinical evaluation, abdominal ultrasonography (US) examination and laboratory investigations Risk factors of hepatobiliary disorders were identified using univariate, then multivariate analysis.
Results: The frequency of hepatic disorders (fatty liver and elevated liver chemistry) was 75.8% in study
patients while the frequency of biliary disorders (gallbladder stones and gallbladder wall thickening) was
54.5%. A higher risk of hepatic disorders was observed with older age (odds ratio (OR) 14, 95% confidenceinterval (CI) 2–124). A higher risk of biliary disorders was observed with UC severe activity index (OR 27,95% CI 3–292).
Conclusions: The frequency of hepatobiliary disorders in patients with UC exceeded what was previously
reported. High frequency of hepatic disorders was related to older age, while that of biliary disorders was
related to UC activity.