Optimising risk stratification in primary biliary cirrhosis: AST/platelet ratio index predicts outcome independent of ursodeoxycholic acid response.

Background & Aims: Outcomes in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) can be predicted by biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Such stratification inadequately captures cirrhosis/portal hypertension, recognised factors associated with adverse events.

Methods: We evaluated a cohort of PBC patients (n=386) attending the Liver Unit in Birmingham (derivation cohort), seeking to identify risk-variables associated with transplant-free survival independent of UDCA-response.

Good maternal and fetal outcomes for pregnant women with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Up to 25% of patients diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are of childbearing age. However, little is known about disease course during pregnancy.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of women with PBC during pregnancy using a representative large cohort of patients attending the Liver Center at Toronto Western hospital from January 1979 through June 2009 (n = 306).

Natural history and management of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that mainly targets the cholangiocytes of the interlobular bile ducts in the liver. It is a rare disease with prevalence of less than one in 2000. Its prevalence in developing countries is increasing presumably because of growth in recognition and knowledge of the disease.

The spectrum of sclerosing cholangitis and the relevance of IgG4 elevations in routine practice.

Objectives: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidance recommends measurement of IgG4 in patients with sclerosing cholangitis (SC). The objective of this study was to evaluate this by analyzing our SC practice.

Methods: Characteristics were collected on 168 patients with radiological or biopsy proven SC; IgG4 was measured and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography studies were reviewed.

The specificity of fatigue in primary biliary cirrhosis: evaluation of a large clinic practice.

Unlabelled: Quality of life is an important concern for patients with chronic liver disease. We sought to describe the frequency, severity, and associations of fatigue, in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We performed association testing between PBC-40 multidomain disease-specific quality of life responses and clinical findings.