Low-Dose Chenodiol to Prevent Gallstone Recurrence After Dissolution Therapy

Publication Description
Chenodiol is a safe and effective agent for the medical dissolution of gallstones in selected patients; however, after dissolution and cessation of treatment, gallstones recur. This study was done to determine the recurrence rate after successful medical treatment and cessation of chenodiol therapy; compare the efficacy and safety of low-dose chenodiol, as compared to placebo, for prophylaxis against recurrence; and identify factors predictive of recurrence. In a randomized, double-blind fashion, 53 patients with gallstone dissolution received either chenodiol, 375 mg/d, or placebo, for at least 2 years. Standardized oral cholecystograms were done at 6 months, 1 year, and then yearly thereafter. Routine laboratory testing was done every 6 months. The cumulative rate of recurrence (life-table) was 27% in patients followed for up to 3.5 years. Chenodiol, 375 mg/d, was ineffective in preventing the recurrence of gallstones. No demographic, clinical, roentgenographic, or biochemical characteristics were predictive of recurrence.

Primary Author
JAY W. MARKS
SHU-PING LAN
RICHARD A. BAUM
ROBERT L. HABIG
RUSSELL F. HANSON
THEODORE HERSH
N.C. HIGHTOWER,Jr
ALAN F. HOFMANN
JOHN M. LACHIN
ELLIOTT C. LASSER
HAGOP MEKHJIAN
RONALD OKUN
ROBERT A. SCHAEFER
LESLIE J. SCHOENFIELD
ROGER D. SOLOWAY
JOHNSON L. THISTLE
FRED B. THOMAS
MALCOLM P. TYOR

Volume
100

Issue
3

Start Page
376

Publisher
American College of Physicians

URL
http://www.annals.org/content/100/3/376.abstract

PMID
6364909



Reference Type
Journal Article

Periodical Full
Annals of Internal Medicine

Publication Year
1984

Publication Date
Mar 1,

Place of Publication
United States

ISSN/ISBN
0003-4819

Document Object Index
10.1059/0003-4819-100-3-376