Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Overview

Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic condition where the bile ducts in the liver gets damaged by autoimmune granulomatous inflammation causing cholestasis which may lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Signs and Symptoms

Fatigue, Itchy skin, Dry eyes and mouth, Pain in the upper right abdomen, Swelling of the spleen, Musculoskeletal pain, Swollen feet and ankles (edema), Ascites, Xanthelasma, Jaundice

Common Causes

Autoimmune factor,Genetic factor,Infection with organisms of the family Enterobacteriaceae

Risk Factors

Female , Age 30 to 60 years old, Infections , Smoking , Toxic chemicals

Investigation Techniques

Full blood count, Liver function tests, Antibody tests for signs of autoimmune disease (Anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs), Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)

Treatment and Prevention

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), Obeticholic acid (Ocaliva), Fibrates (Tricor), Methotrexate, Colchicine, Liver transplant, Rifampin, Cholestyramine