Clinical and Pathological Analysis of 21 Patients with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Objective To review the clinical features of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in order to facilitate recognition of the disease.Methods Clinical data of 21 patients with PBC were reviewed including the clinical manifestations,laboratory tests and pathological findings.Results The ratio of female to male was 2:1 among the 21 patients, and the mean age at definite diagnosis was (50.7±13.9) years. The main symptoms were jaundice (60.9%), bellyache (33.3%), fatigue (23.8%) and anorexia (23.8%).There were predominantly elevated levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in most patients,with elevation of serum ALT and AST levels,and hyperbilirubinemia.The positive rate of M2 subtype antimitochondrial antibody (AMA- M2) was 50%.Pathologic findings were available and all had remarkable features.Conclusions PBC mostly affects middle- aged women, and its major symptom is jaundice.The marked increase of serum ALP and GGT can help to diagnose PBC.AMA- M2 detection together with SP100 and GP120 can enhance the detection rate of PBC.Liver biopsy is useful to confirm diagnosis, especially in M2 antibody negative.