Epidemiology
Acute cholangitis is relatively uncommon, presenting as a complication in less than 10% of patients admitted to hospital with cholelithiasis.[8] Male-to-female ratio is equal.[9] The average age of presentation is between 50 and 60 years old.[9] Cholangitis is most commonly seen in Latin American and American Indian people.[9] About 0.5% to 2.4% of patients develop cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, usually due to inadequate steps taken to ensure biliary drainage.[10] Recurrent oriental pyogenic cholangitis is more common in the eastern hemisphere than in the western hemisphere.[11]
Risk factors
HIV is a risk factor for cholangitis, but patients with HIV infection also often develop HIV cholangiopathy, which can have similar laboratory findings but a much less acute presentation. Cholangitis in HIV infection is less common with the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy.[17]
IgG4-related cholangitis is the most common manifestation of IgG4-related hepatobiliary disease.[20]
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