Alcohol intake is associated with a decreased risk of developing primary biliary cholangitis.

Background: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic progressive liver disease of unknown aetiology characterised by immune-mediated destruction of small and medium-sized intrahepatic bile ducts. There are few well-established risk factors and epidemiological studies are needed to further evaluate the pathogenesis of the disease.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between alcohol intake, smoking and marijuana use with PBC development.