Ultrasonographic evaluation of gallbladder functions in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate gallbladder function in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Methods: The functions of gallbladder were investigated every 30 min for 4 h. In addition, ejection fraction of the gallbladder was calculated from the fasting and post‐prandial volumes. Results: In IBS patients and healthy controls, fasting gallbladder volumes were 19.64 ± 3.09 mL and 20.04 ± 1.82 mL, and residual volumes after 3 h were 3.36 ± 6.82 mL and 9.74 ± 1.50 mL. Except for the residual volume after 3 h, all these results were not statistically significant. Residual volume after 3 h was statistically significantly lower in the IBS patients than in the controls (P