Gallbladder dysfunction in patients with HCV-past infection: features of the course and possibilities of therapy

After successful antiviral treatment, most patients still have changes caused by the C virus: liver fibrosis, cryopathies, vasculitis, gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi dyskinesia, and lesions of other digestive organs. According to various authors, the most common residual changes are biliary motility disorders (30—85%). In most cases, such changes are not actively detected or corrected by the specialists who have treated these patients with antiviral therapy. Often, the treatment of such manifestations is limited to recommendations to change the way of eating and take antispasmodics ‘on demand’. One of the means for the effective treatment of these patients is the dietary supplement Holiver, which contains turmeric powder, artichoke extract, and medical bile extract Objective — to determine the frequency of gallbladder dysfunctions in patients after antiviral therapy for hepatitis C, as well as to assess the effectiveness of «Holiver». Materials and methods. A total of 163 patients (75 men, 88 women) aged 21—65 years with confirmed HCV elimination after antiviral treatment were examined. Gallbladder dysfunction was diagnosed in 55 patients (33.7%). Patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 (n=23) received standard therapy, group 2 (n=22) additionally received Holiver 2 tablets three times daily for 1 month, during the second month, they received only on‑demand antispasmodics for pain attacks (n=22). Clinical assessment was performed at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 and 2 months; laboratory and ultrasound evaluations were performed at baseline, 1 and 2 months. Results. In the group taking Holiver, a statistically significant decrease in the intensity of abdominal pain, bitterness in the mouth and flatulence (p<0.05), as well as the need for antispasmodics, was recorded. There was a decrease in bilirubin levels, alkaline phosphatase activity, an increase in the gallbladder contraction index and a decrease in the frequency of sludge detection by ultrasound. The achieved positive effect was maintained one month after the completion of therapy. Conclusions. Gallbladder dysfunction is diagnosed in one‑third of patients after successful treatment of hepatitis C, mainly in the form of hypomotor dysfunction. The use of Holiver demonstrated efficacy and safety, significantly reducing clinical symptoms, improving laboratory parameters, and restoring gallbladder function.